Cold Lobster Food

PERFECT LOBSTER TAILS

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Place a wire cooling rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Cut the top shell of the lobster tails lengthwise down the middle with kitchen shears. Then, using a knife, cut all the way through the tails to split into 2 pieces. Place them flesh-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
• Mix together the butter, parsley, shallot, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
• Spread 2 teaspoons of the compound butter on the flesh of each lobster tail half. Broil until the shells turn a bright orange, the flesh is opaque and cooked through and the tails begin to curl, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer the tails to a serving platter and top each half with another teaspoon of the compound butter (save the remainder for another use).

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.

COLD LOBSTER WITH GARLIC AND BASIL MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• To cook lobsters, pour about 2 inches of water in the bottom of a large kettle or steamer. Add salt, peppercorns, red-pepper flakes, bay leaf and thyme. Bring water to a boil. Place lobsters in kettle and cover tightly. Return to a boil and cook over high heat for about 12 minutes. Remove lobsters and let them cool.
• To make mayonnaise, combine egg yolk, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix well with a wire whisk.
• Add oil in a thin stream while beating vigorously with a wire whisk. When mixture is thick and smooth, stir in remaining ingredients and blend well. Cover until ready to serve.
• Before serving, split lobsters in half lengthwise and crack claws. Remove and discard small sacs near the eyes. Remove intestines through the middle of the tail. Serve at room temperature with mayonnaise.

COLD LOBSTER WITH HOMEMADE MAYONNAISE RECIPE | COOK THE BOOK

Steps:

• Add water to a large pot to a depth of 2-3 inches. Be sure that the pot is big enough to accommodate a large colander. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
• Put the lobsters in the colander and place the colander inside the pot. Cover the pot and steam the lobsters for 15 minutes. Remove the colander with the lobsters and allow them to cool. Refrigerate the lobsters until fully chilled, about 2 hours.
• For the mayonnaise: Whisk together the egg yolk, garlic, a pinch of salt, and half of the lemon juice in a medium bowl. Combine the oils in a measuring cup with a spout. Add the oil to the yolk about 1 teaspoon at a time, whisking constantly. The mixture will thicken and emulsify. After you have added about 1/4 cup of the oil, you can begin to slowly drizzle in the remaining oil as you continue to whisk until you have a thick, glossy mayonnaise. Season with salt and thin with a little lemon juice if you like. Transfer the mayonnaise into a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. If using herbs, stir them into the mayonnaise just before serving.
• Put the lobsters on a cutting board, belly side down. Using a large kitchen knife, cut each lobster in half lengthwise. Crack the claws and knuckles with a nutcracker or by thwacking the back of the knife against the shells.
• Arrange each lobster on a plate, cut side up, and add a lemon half to each plate. Pass the mayonnaise at the table.

LOBSTER WITH LEMON & HERB BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• To make the sauce, warm the lemon juice in a small saucepan. Add the butter, a few cubes at a time, swirling them into the lemon juice over a very low heat to melt them, adding a few more pieces until all the butter is used. Take the sauce off the heat, season to taste and keep warm.
• To make the salad, gently toss the rocket, avocado and lobster meat together. Dress with the lemon juice and olive oil, and toss again until everything is mixed and coated.
• To serve, stir the herbs through the sauce and pour into a ramekin or small bowl. Put the sauce on a plate and pile the large chunks of lobster meat on one side and the salad on the other. Bring the plate to the table to share - dip the tail meat, claws and crusty bread into the sauce.