Lobster Green Bean Radicchio Salad Food

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.

LOBSTER SALAD WITH GREEN BEANS, APPLE, AND AVOCADO

Steps:

• 1. Prepare a large bowl of ice water.
• 2. Fill the pasta pot with 3 quarts of water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the coarse salt and the beans, and blanch until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. (Cooking time will vary according to the size and tenderness of the beans.) Immediately remove the colander from the water, letting the water drain from the beans. Plunge the beans into the ice water so they cool down as quickly as possible. (The beans will cool in 1 to 2 minutes. If you leave them longer, they will become soggy and begin to lose flavor.) Drain the beans and wrap them in a thick kitchen towel to dry. (Store the cooked beans in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours.)
• 3. In a large, shallow bowl, combine the yogurt, mustard, and fine salt and whisk to blend. Taste for seasoning. Add the green beans, chives, apple, avocado, and lobster. Toss to coat. Arrange on the plates and serve.

GREEN BEAN, ARTICHOKE AND RADICCHIO SALAD

Steps:

• Snap the tough stem ends off the green beans, then cut into 2-inch pieces or in halves. Meanwhile, bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil and season generously with salt. Add the green beans and boil until bright green, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain in a colander, rinse under cold tap water to stop the cooking and set aside.
• While the beans continue draining, slice the radicchio in half and cut out the core (the hard white part in the bottom-center). Cut each radicchio half into 2-inch pieces, separate the leaves and arrange on a large platter. Scatter the green beans over the radicchio. Drain the artichoke hearts very well, cut each in half lengthwise and arrange cut sides up over the green beans. (If making ahead, you can stop here, cover the platter and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then proceed with Step 3 the following day.)
• Drizzle the salad with the olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Squeeze 1 lemon half over the salad and sprinkle with the oregano. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt, pepper or lemon as desired. Serve just like this or toss and serve.