how2heroes » Homard Á L'Américaine (Lobster w/ Wine, Tomatoes, Garlic & Herbs)

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Serves 6

Ingredients

3 (1½-lb) live lobsters (or 6 frozen lobster tails, partially defrosted & cut in half lengthwise)
3 tbsp olive oil
1 medium carrot, finely diced
1 medium onion, finely diced
salt
pepper
3 tbsp minced shallots or green onions
1 clove mashed garlic
⅓ cup cognac
1 tbsp fresh, ripe, tomatoes, peeled, seeded & chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup fish stock (or ⅓ cup bottled clam juice)
2 cups dry white wine (or 1 cup dry white vermouth)
2 tbsp parsley, chopped
1 tbsp tarragon, chopped

Compound Butter

6 tbsp butter, room temperature
2 tbsp parsley, chopped
1 tbsp fresh tarragon, chopped (or 1 tsp dried tarragon)
the lobster coral (roe) and green matter (tamale, lobster liver)
juice of ½ lemon
salt
pepper

Garnish Suggestions

fennel
parsley sprigs
edible flowers (pansies)

Special Equipment

heavy 12" enameled skillet or casserole
3-quart mixing bowl

How-to

Split the lobsters in two lengthwise. Remove stomach sacks (in the head) and intestinal tubes. Reserve coral and green matter. Remove claws and joints and crack them. Separate tails from chests. (Watch Jody's Breaking Down a Lobster to see how this is done.)
Heat the oil in the skillet until it is very hot but not smoking. Add the lobster pieces, meat-side down, and saute for several minutes, turning them, until the shells are bright red. Remove lobster to a side dish
Stir in the diced carrot and onion, and cook slowly for 5 minutes or until almost tender.
With the skillet over moderate heat, pour in the cognac. Avert your face while you do this and ignite the cognac and shake the skillet slowly until the flames have subsided. Season the lobster, return it to the skillet, and add the shallots and the garlic. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, fish stock or clam juice, wine, parsley, and tarragon. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring the lobster occasionally during this time
While lobster is simmering, make the compound butter. Force the lobster coral and green matter with the butter through a fine sieve into the mixing bowl and set aside
When the lobster is done, remove it to a side dish. Set skillet with its cooking liquids over high heat and boil down rapidly until sauce has reduced and thickened slightly. It will acquire more body later when the butter and coral mixture is added. Taste very carefully for seasoning
Beat a couple of spoonfuls of hot pan juices by driblets into the coral and butter mixture. Return the lobster to the sauce, turn off heat, then pour the butter mixture into the skillet with the lobster and stir to coat the lobsters
Arrange the lobster on a serving platter. Thin sauce with water if necessary, then pour over lobster arrangement. Decorate with herbs, and serve immediately

Serving Suggestion

Garnish with fennel, parsley leaves and edible flowers. Serve with pasta or rice with a glass of Chablis. Bon appetit!

Adapted from Mastering the Art of French Cooking
by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle, Simone Beck, and Sidonie Coryn

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Jody Adams

James Beard award-winning Chef Jody Adams of rialto celebrates regional Italian cuisine interpreted with New England ingredients at her landmark restaurant in Harvard Square. Chef Adams has been praised for her creativity and business acumen by local and national publications from The Boston Globe and Boston Business Journal to Gourmet, Food & Wine and The New York Times. Jody was a top contender on Top Chef Masters and made Boston proud! Outside of the restaurant, Jody is actively involved in organizations that support children’s advocacy and hunger relief both domestically and internationally. She is committed to supporting The Greater Boston Food Bank, Share Our Strength and Partners In Health.