Smoked Salmon with Crème Fraîche Sauce on Shallot Toasts

Ingredients

• 2 cups creme fraîche or sour cream
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 loaves thinly sliced white bread
• 4 shallots, peeled and halved
• 1 side presliced smoked salmon (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 4 lemons, halved and sliced

Preparation

1. Combine the creme fraîche, mustard, dill, and salt. Cover and refrigerate up to 1 day ahead.
   
   Heat broiler. Arrange the bread slices on baking sheets. Toast until lightly browned; turn and toast the other sides. Remove from oven and rub 1 side of the toasts with a cut shallot. Cut each slice into 4 triangles. Serve with the salmon, sauce, toasts, and lemon slices.
   
   Note: Salmon is expensive, but it's elegant when served on a big platter and guests make their own open-face sandwiches. Mix leftover salmon and sauce with cooked spaghetti the next day.