Instructions: Place salmon, skin-side down in a glass baking dish. Rub with sherry. In a mortar grind together salt, sugar and pepper lightly with a pestle. Coat flesh side of salmon with salt mixture. Strew tarragon over salmon, distributing it evenly. Top with another glass dish and weight it with cans. Refrigerate for 48 hours, basting a few times with accumulated liquid.

Cook asparagus in boiling, salted water until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes.

Refresh under cold water, then pat dry. Set aside at room temperature.

Prepare sauce: In a small saucepan bring sherry to a boil and reduce it by one-third. Let cool slightly, then pour into workbowl of a food processor with mayonnaise and mustard. Process for 5 seconds. Combine walnut and vegetable oils and, with the motor running, slowly begin to add to sherry mixture drop by drop. After 1 tablespoon of oil has been absorbed, you can begin to pour it slowly in a thin stream. Process to a medium consistency.

Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside at room temperature.

Remove tarragon from salmon and wash off brine under cold water. With a very sharp knife, cut salmon into broad, thin slices. Divide among dinner plates. Pour a little sauce alongside. Top decoratively with asparagus.

Grind black pepper over and serve immediately.

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

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