Cheesy Stuffed Lobster Food

BAKED STUFFED LOBSTER NEW ENGLAND STYLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Melt 8 tablespoons butter in a 9-inch skillet over medium heat.
• Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft but not browned.
• Stir in the tarragon and parsley.
• If using raw shrimp or scallops, add them with the herbs and cook for 1 minute.
• Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• If using cooked lobster or crabmeat, remove the pan from the heat as soon as you stir in the herbs, let cool, and then add the lobster or crabmeat.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• With a cleaver of chef’s knife, split the lobsters in half lengthwise.
• Remove and discard the head sac and intestine.
• Remove the tomalley and the roe if present and place in a small bowl.
• Break into small pieces using a fork.
• With the back side of a knife, crack the center of each claw on 1 side only.
• Season the lobsters lightly with salt and pepper.
• On a large roasting pan or baking sheet, place the halves together to resemble a butterfly.
• The tomalley and roe are optional for the stuffing.
• If you want to include them, mix them into the seafood mixture.
• Gently fold the crumbled crackers into the mixture.
• Divide the mixture evenly between 2 lobsters.
• If you are serving 1 lobster per person, spread the stuffing over the center so that the lobsters look whole again.
• Do not pack the stuffing tightly, or it will affect the even baking of the lobster.
• Brush the 3 tablespoons melted butter over the exposed meat tail, stuffing and claws.
• Bake until the lobster is cooked through and the stuffing is crisp and golden.
• Bake 17 minutes for a 1 1/2 pound lobster and 24 minutes for a 2-pound lobster.

STUFFED LOBSTER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place lobsters in pan and chill in freezer for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place 1 layer of river rocks* in the bottom of a wide pot and fill with 1-inch of water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Spread herbs across rocks, then quickly place lobsters on top. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and place in ice bath to halt cooking.
• Lay paper towels across a cutting board. Bring one lobster to the board and using your chef's knife, cut the lobster straight down the center, from head to tail. Remove tomalley and discard. Remove legs and claws. Using a rolling pin, roll over legs to extract the meat. Roughly chop the meat.
• Move claws to pan and roast for 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions and stir to coat. Follow with the lemon zest and scallions. Once onions are translucent add the leg meat. Then add the crackers and toss, off the heat, until all the liquid has been absorbed.
• Spoon filling into the open body cavities. Brush tail meat with olive oil and place upright on the pan along with the claws. Roast 10 to 14 minutes or until the stuffing browns and tail meat becomes opaque.
• Crack claws and remove the meat. Serve on top of stuffed lobster with extra-virgin olive oil on the side for dipping.
• *Smooth river rocks are available from your local landscape company

LOBSTER STUFFED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven for 300 degrees F.
• Using a tablespoon, clean out the gills of portobello mushrooms, leaving only the caps. Chop up the stems and place aside to be later added to the stuffing.
• Heat a medium saucepan, when hot add saffron, and toast quickly for only a few seconds. Immediately add the wine, and stir gently with a wooden spoon. Let wine and saffron mixture cook for about 2 to 5 minutes or until it begins to steam.
• Add lobster meat and let simmer about 5 minutes; the meat will acquire an orange tint from the saffron. Stir in bread crumbs, mushroom stems, Parmesan and pecorino Romano, until thick. Add heavy cream and mix well. Spoon stuffing into the mushroom caps and cover with a slice of mozzarella.
• Place on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

LOBSTER STUFFED MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Clean and dry mushrooms, remove stems.
• Mix all ingredients together and stuff mushrooms.
• Place small pieces of sharp cheddar cheese on top of each mushroom.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, uncovered.