Lobster Chopped Salad With Fava Beans Cherry Tomatoes Avocado Corn And Applewood Smoked Bacon Food

LOBSTER SALAD

Steps:

• Make the poaching liquid: Freeze the lobsters for 20 minutes. (This sedates them and makes them more manageable.) Meanwhile, combine 1 gallon water, the bay leaves, thyme, red pepper flakes, paprika, parsley and peppercorns in a large pot. Halve the 4 lemons; squeeze the juice into the pot and then add the halves. Season the liquid with salt until it tastes as salty as the ocean. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat to a simmer.
• Kill the lobsters: This is the most humane method: Position the point of a knife on the middle of the back of the head; push the point straight down through the shell and lower the knife through the head. (The lobster may continue to move for a few minutes.)
• Poach the tails and claws: Hold each lobster over the pot of simmering liquid and twist the tail away from the body.
• Put the tails in the pot and cook 3 minutes, then twist off the large claws (with the knuckles attached), add to the pot and cook 7 more minutes.
• Transfer the lobster tails and claws to a bowl with tongs; let cool to room temperature.
• Make the aioli: Put the egg yolks, garlic, mustard, vinegar, hot sauce and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a food processor; pulse to combine. With the motor running, add the canola oil in a slow, steady stream and process until thick and creamy. Scrape into a bowl and set aside.
• Shell the lobsters: Stand each claw on one of its narrow edges and whack the top with a knife. Wiggle the knife until a crack runs through the claw.
• Repeat on the opposite edge, if necessary, to make the crack bisect the shell. Pull the claw apart and remove the meat.
• Insert the handle of a spoon into each knuckle and twist to pull out the meat.
• Lay each tail on its side. Put the palm of your hand on top, then press that hand with the heel of your other hand until the shell cracks.
• Hold the tail with the underside facing up. With your thumbs, grab the edges of the bottom of the shell.
• Bend back the edges of the shell to crack open the underside and remove the tail meat.
• Chop the lobster meat: Pull the flat piece of cartilage from the middle of each piece of claw meat and discard. Halve each tail lengthwise and clean out any visible vein or roe. Cut the claw, knuckle and tail meat into bite-size pieces.
• Make the salad: Combine the lobster meat, celery, about 1/4 cup aioli, the tarragon and chives in a bowl; toss. (Cover and refrigerate the rest of the aioli for up to 4 days.) Scoop the lobster salad onto butter lettuce leaves and sprinkle with more chives. Serve at room temperature with the lemon wedges.

CORN, TOMATO, AND LOBSTER SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water, and set it aside.
• In a 4- to 6-quart Dutch oven, or other heavy-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid, combine the chopped tomatoes, wine, water, onions, peppercorns, and tarragon sprigs. Bring to a boil over high heat, uncovered; then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
• Raise the heat to high, add the lobster to the pot, and cover the pot immediately with a heavy, tightfitting lid. Steam the lobster for 13 minutes, until it is bright red and the long feelers are easily removed from their sockets. Immediately plunge the lobster into the bowl of ice water, and let it cool for 5 minutes.
• Remove the lobster from the ice water and set it on a rimmed baking sheet. Using kitchen shears, remove the lobster meat from the tail and claws. Use a knife to chop the lobster meat into bite- size pieces. You should have about 1 cup; set it aside.
• In a medium non-reactive mixing bowl, combine the shallot, vinegar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Whisk in the 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the cayenne. Add the corn kernels and mix together. Set aside for 10 minutes.
• Cut the tiniest heirloom tomatoes in half, and quarter the larger ones. Add the tomatoes to the corn mixture. Add the lobster, tarragon, and parsley, and mix gently to combine.
• In a medium bowl, gently mix the Bibb lettuce leaves with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, and season them lightly with salt and black pepper. Stack 2 lettuce leaves on each of four plates. Divide the lobster salad evenly among the lettuce cups, and serve immediately.

LOBSTER SALAD WITH GREEN BEANS, TOMATOES AND BASIL

Steps:

• In a large pot or in batches, so as not to crowd them, steam or boil the lobsters in seawater or heavily salted water. Add the bay leaf, peppercorns and allspice berries, if you wish. Depending on their size, cook the lobsters for 13 to 15 minutes. (Ask your fishmonger for recommended cooking time.) Let lobsters cool to room temperature on rimmed baking sheets.
• Using lobster crackers, kitchen shears or a mallet, crack shells and remove meat. Place the claw meat and knuckle meat in a container. Slice tail meat 1/2-inch thick and add to the container. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Make the vinaigrette: Add garlic, mustard, vinegar, olive oil, parsley and basil leaves to a blender jar or food processor. Whiz until slightly thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Put cherry tomatoes in a small bowl, season with salt and pepper and add 3 tablespoons vinaigrette. Toss to combine. To another small bowl, add green beans and 3 tablespoons vinaigrette. Toss to combine.
• Arrange lobster meat in the center of a platter or divide among individual plates. Surround with tomato slices, and season lightly with salt and pepper. Spoon cherry tomatoes over the tomato slices. Scatter green beans artfully. Tuck eggs and potatoes here and there (or serve potatoes separately). Finish with arugula or salad leaves.
• Drizzle remaining vinaigrette over everything. Garnish with the prettiest basil leaves. Serve aioli on the side, if using.

POACHED LOBSTER OVER CORN AND CHERRY TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• For the lobster: Fill an 8-quart stockpot halfway with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the wine, lemon juice, coriander, thyme, garlic and enough salt to taste like the ocean. Boil for 10 minutes.
• Add the lobster, cover the pot and cook for 8 minutes. Remove and let cool. Crack the lobster and remove the meat from the claws, knuckles and tail; cut the tail meat in half vertically. Toss the lobster meat with a splash of red wine vinegar and olive oil. Set aside.
• For the salad: Drizzle some olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat, swirling to coat the pan; heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and a pinch of salt and red pepper flakes and cook until the garlic is golden brown; remove the garlic. Add the tomatoes, corn kernels and zucchini, toss to combine, and season with salt. Cook until the tomatoes start to burst, just a few minutes. Toss with three-quarters of the basil chiffonade.
• Place the arugula in a bowl, season with a pinch of salt, and lightly dress with a splash of red wine vinegar and olive oil. Transfer the arugula to a plate, top with the corn and cherry tomato mixture and then with the lobster meat. Garnish with the remaining basil chiffonade.

TED KENNEDY'S FAVORITE LOBSTER SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the corn and then scrape off the kernels over a bowl and set aside.
• Put the tomatoes, avocado and corn into a bowl and add the lobster meat and toss gently.
• In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, with the milk and mix until smooth.
• Sprinkle the lobster mixture with dill, salt and pepper, then add the mayonnaise mixture and stir briefly so the sauce barely holds the rest of the ingredients together.
• Cover and refrigerate for a few hours before serving.

LOBSTER CHOPPED SALAD WITH FAVA BEANS, CHERRY TOMATOES, AVOCADO, CORN, AND APPLEWOOD-SMOKED BACON

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.
• Insert the tip of a large chef knife just below the eyes of each lobster-this will kill them instantly. Add the lobsters to the pot of boiling water, making sure they are completely submerged. Cook the lobsters 10 minutes, and then remove them immediately to a bowl of ice water.
• When the lobsters have cooled, twist off the tails and claws from the bodies. Save the bodies for another use, or discard.
• Place the tails on their sides, and crush gently with the heel of your hand to break open the shells. Carefully pull out the tails. Cut the tails in half lengthwise, and remove the intestinal tract and any green tomalley. Cut each half crosswise into six or seven pieces.
• Use the back of a large not-precious knife to break open the shell on the claws. Remove the claw meat, and cut each claw into three or four pieces. Carefully crack the shells of the knuckles and remove the meat. You should have about 12 ounces of lobster meat total.
• Slice the bacon into 3/8-inch-thick slices. Arrange the bacon strips in two stacks, then cut the strips crosswise into 3/8-inch even-sided rectangles or lardons. Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat for 1 minute. Swirl in 1 tablespoon olive oil, add the bacon, and cook about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the bacon is tender and lightly crisped. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Reserve the fat in the pan.
• Return the pan to medium-high heat. Add the corn, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Sauté over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes, until the corn is just cooked and tender. Remove to a platter or baking sheet to cool.
• While the corn is cooling, make the vinaigrette: Place the shallots, lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl, and let sit 5 minutes. Whisk in the 1/3 cup olive oil and a pinch of cayenne. Taste for balance and seasoning.
• Cut the avocados in half lengthwise. Remove the pit and peel. Dice the avocados into 1/2-inch cubes and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half, and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Place the lobster, corn, avocados, tomatoes, and bacon in a large salad bowl. Toss with 5 tablespoons vinaigrette and taste for seasoning, adding a little more vinaigrette if you like. Place the lettuce leaves on a large chilled platter and spoon a little vinaigrette over them. Toss the parsley into the lobster salad, and arrange it over the lettuce. Scatter the basil over the top.
• You can boil and prepare the lobsters, make the vinaigrette, and sauté the bacon and corn ahead of time. Prepare the avocado and tomatoes just before serving.

CHERRY TOMATO AND WHITE BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir in the red onion and garlic and set the dressing aside to marinate for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature.
• Place the tomatoes, white beans and parsley in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad, toss well, then gently fold in the Parmesan. Serve at room temperature using a slotted spoon.

LOBSTER AND AVOCADO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring enough water to the boil to cover the lobsters when added. Add the lobsters and salt and cover. When the water returns to the boil, let the lobsters simmer 12 minutes. Let stand five to 10 minutes and drain the lobsters well.
• Meanwhile, cut away and discard the core of the lettuce. Cut the leaves lengthwise into quarters. Cut the leaves crosswise into very fine shreds. There should be about six to seven cups.
• Remove the meat from the lobster shells. Cut the meat into bite-size pieces. There should be about four cups.
• Put the lettuce in a salad bowl. Arrange the lobster pieces on top and add the green onions or scallions. Toss lightly.
• Cut the avocados in half lengthwise. Discard the pits. Peel the halves. Cut each half lengthwise into thin strips. Sprinkle with lemon juice.
• Arrange the avocado slices neatly over the salad. Sprinkle with the basil.
• To make the salad dressing, put the mustard, vinegar, shallots, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Add the egg. Blend the oils. Start beating with a wire whisk while gradually adding the oil.
• Serve the salad and salad dressing separately if desired. Or toss the salad with the dressing.