Butter Poached Lobster French Laundry Food

BUTTER POACHED LOBSTER TAILS WITH CAVIAR MOUSSE RECIPE:

Steps:

• Prepare Caviar Mousse and Dijon Mustard Sauce ahead of time (see below).
• Prepare Beurre Monte (see below).
• When you are about an hour from serving the lobster tails, take them out of the refrigerator and bring them to room temperature.
• When ready to poach the lobster tails, in a pan large enough to hold the lobster tails and using a cooking thermometer, bring the prepared Beurre Monte up to at least 160 degrees F., but not over 190 degrees F.
• Depending on how large and how many lobster tails you are preparing, will determine how long to poach them. It usually takes from 5 to 7 minutes or until an instant-read meat thermometer register an internal temperature of 140 to 145 degrees F. Do not overcook - the lobster should not be rubbery but of a soft consistency - almost as if not completely cooked. The lobster should be white and not very opaque in color. When done, remove them from the Beurre Monte and serve.
• To Serve: Place a cookie ring on individual serving plate. Fill the ring with the Caviar Mousse (carefully remove the ring, lifting upward). Place prepared lobster tail on the Caviar Mousse. Drizzle some Dijon Mustard Sauce around the food and sprinkle a few caviar eggs on sauce . Drizzle a little of the Beurre Monte over the lobster tail. Repeat with remaining portions.
• Definition of Beurre Monte: Butter is an emulsification of 80% milk fat, 18% water, and 2% milk solids. Heating butter above 160 degrees will cause it to "break" or separate into its different composition parts. A Beuree Monte is a techniques of keeping melted butter in an emulsified state between 180 degrees and 190 degrees, which is sufficient to poach meats or vegetables.
• Using just a little bit of water helps the emulsion process in preparing Beurre Monte. Whether you emulsify 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) or 1 pound of butter, just one (1) tablespoon of water will do.
• Determine how much butter you will need for the Beurre Mont by placing the lobster tails in a large enough pan, side by side; add just enough water to cover. Immediately remove the lobster tails, drain them, set aside; and measure the water in the pan. You will need this amount of butter to cover and poach the tails.
• In a saucepan, bring the 1 tablespoon of water to a boil over high heat; reduce the heat to low and begin adding the chunks of butter (a little at a time) whisking constantly to emulsify.
• Once the emulsion is started, more butter may be whisked in.
• Hold the temperature of the Beurre Monte to between 160 and 190 degrees F. for poaching. DO NOT BOIL OR THE MIXTURE WILL BREAK! The mixture should have the consistency of a very thick butter sauce.
• Make the Beurre Monte close to the time it will be used and maintain it in a warm place. If you have extra Beurre Monte it can be refrigerated and reheated to use as melted butter or it can be clarified. The prepared Beurre Monte can be frozen and used anytime on vegetables or seafood.
• I adapted these recipes for Caviar Mousse and Dijon Mustard Sauce originally by Guy Martin, Le Grand Vefour, France - Food Network Television, Episode #FW1A12
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard2 cups lightly whipped cream1 shallot, finely choppedSalt and pepper to taste2 ounces caviar
• In a medium-size bowl, gently combine the Dijon mustard and whipped cream until smooth. Add the finely chopped shallots and season with salt and pepper. Gently fold in the caviar without breaking the eggs.
• May be made 1 hour in advance of being served.
• In a small bowl, combine creme fraiche with Dijon mustard and white wine until it thins out a little. Season with salt and pepper.
• This sauce may be prepared several days in advance.

HOW TO BUTTER POACH LOBSTER TAILS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring 2-3 tbs. of water to a simmer over medium heat
• Whisk in 1 tbs. butter, when butter melts add another piece. Continuing adding butter pieces - 1 cup (two sticks total.) Do not let the butter come to a boil or the butter will separate. Try to keep the butter between 160 and 175 degrees F. Use an instant read thermometer to to keep it under 180 F
• Add defrosted, raw tails. Cook for 6-8 minutes and turn tails in butter mixture. Again, make sure the butter does not come to a boil, reduce the heat if necessary. Be careful not to overcook lobster. Poached lobster tails should have an an internal temperature of about 140-145°

PERFECT POACHED LOBSTER

Steps:

• Fill a very large (18- to 20-quart) stockpot 3/4 full with water, add 2 tablespoons of salt, cover and bring to a full rolling boil. Immerse the lobsters in the water and cook for 10 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the middle of the underside of a tail registers 140 degrees F. (Don't worry if the water doesn't come back to a boil.) Remove the lobsters with tongs and set aside until cool enough to handle. Remove the lobster meat from the shell, including the claws.