Lemongrass Broth Food

LOBSTER IN LEMONGRASS BROTH WITH TRUFFLED SHIITAKE FLANS

Steps:

• Fill the sink with cold water and add ice cubes. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, numb the lobsters by placing them in the freezer for 30 minutes. Transfer them to a heavy cutting board, insert the tip of a large, heavy knife at the base of the heads, and cut completely through. Remove the claws, knuckles (the sections beneath the claws), and tails. Set the bodies aside for the broth. Cut the tails in half lengthwise up to the flat feathery appendages at the base of the tails (these remain intact) and reserve.
• Transfer the claws to a large heatproof bowl, pour the boiling water over them to cover, and allow them to cook, about 5 minutes. After 3 minutes, add the knuckles. Remove the lobster parts and plunge into the ice water. When the lobster is cold, remove the mea tand reserve.
• To make the broth, split the reserved lobster bodies. Heat a large, heavy pot over high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pot. When the oil shimmers, add the lobster bodies and saute, stirring, until the shells turn red, about 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste, fennel, onion, carrot, celery, lemongrass, and ginger and saute, stirring, until the vegetables are soft, about 8 minutes. Add the wine, stir, and reduce the liquid by half, 10 to 15 minutes. Do not boil; it will cloud the broth. Add the bay leaf, peppercorns, and about 8 cups of water to cover the bodies. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2 hours, strain, and keep hot.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. To make the flans, heat a medium skilled over high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat the pan. When the oil shimmers, add the shallots and saute, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and saute, stirring, until softened, about 8 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and place in the freezer to chill quickly, about 15 minutes. When cold, add the eggs, cream, scallions, and truffle oil and mix.
• Fill a kettle with water and bring to a boil. Spray four 4-ounce ramekins lightly with nonstick cooking spray and have ready a baking dish large enough to hold them. Fill the ramekins four-fifths full with the flan mixture and transfer them to the pan. Add sufficient boiling water to the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins and transfer to the oven. Bake just until the flans are set, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, season the reserved lobster tails with the salt and pepper to taste. Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add the canola oil and swirl to coat the pan. When the oil shimmers, add the tails, feeler sides down. Cook, turning once, until the shells turn red, about 5 minutes. Add the claws, stir, and add 3 cups of the broth. Add the lemon juice and season with the salt and pepper to taste.
• Divide the fondue among 4 large pasta bowls. Carefully invert a flan onto each portion. Top with the lobster tail and claws and ladle the broth around. Garnish with the scallions and serve.
• To make the fondue, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and swirl to coat the pan. Add the garlic and ginger and saute, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the bok choy and 1/2 cup of the reserved lobster broth. Season with the salt and pepper to taste and cook until the bok choy is soft, about 5 minutes. Fold in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, correct the seasonings, and keep warm. Add the knuckles right before serving to warm.

SEAFOOD SHUMAI IN A LEMON GRASS BROTH

Steps:

• In a food processor, add seafood mixture, egg, and butter. Pulse until the butter is incorporated but still visible (small pieces). Place 1 tablespoon of mixture on a wrapper and bring up the sides going around the mound. Continue with the remaining mixture and wrappers. Drop, open side up, from 6 inches on a flat surface to flatten the shumai bottoms. Steam shumai for 8 minutes.
• Into 4 soup plates, place 3 shumai each. Ladle 4 ounces broth around the shumai. Serve and enjoy.
• Wine Suggestion: Goldwater Dog Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 1998
• In a food processor, add shrimp, bass, scallops, egg, ginger, and sesame oil. Pulse only a little bit to bring ingredients together. Transfer to a large bowl and fold in scallions and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.
• In a 2-quart casserole, saute onions, jalapeno, ginger, and lemongrass. Deglaze with fish sauce and reduce by 80 per cent. Add stock and dash of white pepper. Reduce by 20 per cent on a slow simmer, about 45 minutes. Strain and keep hot. Check for seasoning. Squeeze in lemon juice right before serving.

LEMONGRASS-GINGER-CARROT SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat the ghee or olive oil. Add the onion and sweat until translucent, about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the carrots, ginger, and lemongrass and stir to coat the vegetables with the ghee or oil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 10 minutes.
• Add the broth and increase the heat to medium. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook until the carrots are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth, blending in batches if necessary. Season with sea salt to taste and serve immediately.
• Do Ahead:
• You can refrigerate the soup for up to 1 week, or freeze it for up to 6 months.

GINGER-LEMONGRASS BROTH WITH NOODLES, SILKEN TOFU, AND BROCCOLI

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine broth, 3 cups water, onion, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, cilantro, whole chile, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, 30 minutes. Strain, discarding solids; return broth to pot. Stir in fish sauce; season with salt.
• Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add Broccolini and return to a boil; cook until crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Using tongs, transfer to a plate. Add noodles to pot and cook until just al dente, about 4 to 5 minutes for wheat noodles, 3 minutes for rice noodles. Drain.
• Divide noodles among bowls. Add Broccolini to hot broth, then gently add tofu and heat through over medium. Spoon broth, Broccolini, and tofu over noodles. Garnish with herbs and sliced chile, and serve with lime wedges.

MUSSELS IN YUMMILICIOUS LEMONGRASS BROTH

Steps:

• Place stock, ginger, lemongrass and lemon rind in a saucepan over high heat.
• Bring the broth to the boil then add the mussels and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the mussels open.
• Discard any mussels that don't open.
• Serve mussels in deep bowls with the broth and some bread or with some cooked pasta.