Lobster Salad With Glass Noodles And Jícama Food

THAI CHICKEN AND GLASS NOODLE SALAD WITH SPICY DRESSING

Steps:

• To make marinade: Combine the soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, ginger, garlic and sambal in a bowl and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the chicken meat from the bone and cut or tear into bite size pieces. Toss the chicken meat with the marinade and refrigerate until needed. To make the salad: Soak the glass noodles in the hot water for 5 minutes, stirring gently to separate and loosen the noodles. Strain the softened noodles and toss with the Basic Sauce. Using a pair of scissors, snip the noodles into shorter lengths. Remove the chicken from the marinade and toss with the glass noodles. Toss the jicama, carrot, green papaya, mango, cucumber, cilantro, and basil with some of the Spicy Dressing. Mix the dressed vegetables with the noodles. Mound onto a plate and sprinkle with bean sprouts, mint, and peanuts. Drizzle with some more of the Spicy Dressing.
• In a large pot combine the onion, garlic, bay leaf, salt, and water. (Use just enough water to be able to completely cover the chicken once they have been added to the pot). Bring to a boil over high heat. Add the chicken breasts and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove chicken from water and cool completely.
• Combine the sugar and water in a medium-sized pot and boil for 5 minutes to make a simple syrup. In a blender puree the sambal, garlic, red pepper, fish sauce, salt, and lemon juice. Add the puree to the pot with the simple syrup. Simmer for 25 minutes until the sauce has thickened to the consistency of corn syrup. Store Basic Sauce in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. . Yield: 2 cups
• In a blender combine the basic sauce, lime juice, fish sauce, oyster sauce, chili flakes, and garlic. While the blender is running add the vegetable oil in a slow steady stream. Once all the oil has been added continue to blend for 1 minute, until the dressing has emulsified. Store in a tightly sealed container, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Yield: 1 cup

ASIAN SESAME LOBSTER SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl whisk together all dressing ingredients. Dressing may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
• Cut lobster meat or shrimp into bite-size pieces. Trim peas and diagonally cut into 1/4-inch slices. Cut cabbage, jícama, and carrots into thin julienne strips. Diagonally cut scallion greens into thin slices, reserving white parts for another use. Lobster or shrimp and vegetables may be prepared up to this point 4 hours ahead and chilled separately, covered.
• In a dry small heavy skillet toast sesame seeds over moderate heat, stirring, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes, and transfer to a small bowl to cool.
• Just before serving, in a large bowl toss lobster or shrimp, peas, cabbage, jícama, and carrots with dressing and sprinkle with scallions and sesame seeds.

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.

GRILLED LOBSTER AND AVOCADO SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk the mustard, shallots, vinegar and lime juice. Slowly whisk in the grapefruit oil and the extra-virgin olive oil. Do not worry if the dressing is not perfectly emulsified. Stir in the herbs, salt and pepper. Set the vinaigrette aside.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
• Preheat grill to high or preheat the broiler.
• Cut the avocado in half lengthwise. With a spoon carefully remove the avocado meat. Reserve the shells. Cut the avocado into 1/3-inch dice and place in a mixing bowl. Add lime juice and cover closely with plastic wrap.
• Remove the lobster meat from tail and parboil for 1 minute or until no longer translucent. Place lobster meat on the grill basting with butter just long enough to get a little grill flavor (about 1 minute per side). If cooking indoors, broil until lightly golden.
• Remove lobster from the grill and dice into approximately the same sized cubes as the avocado.
• In a large bowl, gently mix the avocado, lobster, red bell pepper, jicama and onion. Drizzle in half of the vinaigrette and carefully stir to mix evenly. Taste for seasoning and add more dressing or salt or pepper, as needed. Generously stuff the avocado shells. This can be prepared a few hours in advance and refrigerated.
• Place a bed of butter lettuce on chilled salad plates and place avocado half in center of plate. Scatter the lettuce with pine nuts, onion and tomatoes. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette over salad. Serve immediately.

LOBSTER SALAD CANAPES

Steps:

• Plunge lobster headfirst into a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water. Cook lobster, partially covered, over moderately high heat 9 minutes from time it enters water, then transfer with tongs to sink to cool.
• While lobster is cooling, cut each cucumber slice with scalloped cutter (if using), discarding trimmings. Whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice (to taste), jalapeño, salt, and a pinch of pepper.
• When lobster is cool, remove meat from claws, joints, and tail, discarding tomalley, roe, and shells. Cut meat into 1/4-inch pieces. Add lobster, mango, celery, onion, and cilantro to dressing and toss well.
• Top each cucumber round with 1 rounded teaspoon lobster salad.

LOBSTER AND SOBA NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• Place the sesame seeds in a small skillet over medium heat, and toast until fragrant and golden, about 1 minute. Transfer to a small bowl; set aside.
• Prepare an ice water bath; set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add soba noodles, and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain, and transfer to ice bath. Drain again, and place in a medium bowl. Drizzle with oil, tossing to lightly coat.
• Add lobster, cucumber, red pepper, scallions, dressing, sesame seeds, and herbs. Toss gently to combine.