Lobster Gelees With Fresh Tarragon Oil Recipes

FRESH TARRAGON OIL

Steps:

• Purée herbs, oil, and salt in a blender until smooth, then pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on and then discarding solids. Chill if not using immediately.

LOBSTER GELEES WITH FRESH TARRAGON OIL

Steps:

• Cook lobsters and make stock:
• Bring 6 quarts water to a boil in pot, then plunge 2 lobsters headfirst into water and cook, covered, 8 minutes from time they enter water. Transfer with tongs to a shallow baking pan to cool. Return water to a boil and cook remaining 2 lobsters in same manner.
• When lobsters are cool enough to handle, remove meat from tail and claws and set aside. Cut tail shells and lobster bodies (not including claws) into 1-inch pieces with kitchen shears, then rinse well, discarding gills, eye sacs, tomalley, any roe, and claw shells. Transfer to a 6- to 8-quart heavy pot, then add wine, carrots, celery, fennel, onion, garlic, large tarragon sprigs, salt, fennel seeds, red-pepper flakes, and remaining 2 quarts water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until liquid is reduced to about 6 cups, about 1 1/2 hours.
• While stock reduces, scrape any coagulated white albumin from lobster meat with a knife and cut meat into 1/2-inch pieces, then chill, covered.
• Make gelées:
• Pour stock through a dampened cheesecloth-lined large sieve into a large bowl, pressing on and then discarding solids. Transfer 2 3/4 cups stock to a bowl. (Cool remaining stock completely, uncovered, then freeze in an airtight container for another use.) Sprinkle gelatin evenly over 1/4 cup stock in a 1-quart saucepan, then let stand 1 minute to soften. Heat over moderately low heat, stirring, just until gelatin is dissolved, then stir in vinegar and remaining 2 1/2 cups stock.
• Put molds in a baking pan. Add 2 teaspoons gelatin mixture to each mold and freeze until set, about 10 minutes. Put 1 small sprig of tarragon and a tip of claw meat in bottom of each mold, then divide lobster meat among molds. Fill with remaining gelatin mixture and chill, covered with plastic wrap, until set, at least 2 hours.
• To unmold, dip 1 mold in a pan of hot water 3 to 5 seconds to loosen. Run a thin knife around edge of mold and invert gelée out onto a plate. Repeat with remaining molds. Drizzle plates with fresh tarragon oil .

TARRAGON LOBSTER SALAD

Steps:

• Plunge 2 live lobsters headfirst into an 8-quart pot of boiling salted water. Loosely cover pot and cook lobsters over moderately high heat 9 minutes from time they enter water, then transfer with tongs to sink to cool.
• Return water to a boil and cook remaining 2 lobsters in same manner.
• While lobsters are cooking, combine shallot, lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl and let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
• When lobsters are cool, remove meat from claws, joints, and tails. Discard tomalley, any roe, and shells (or save for another use). Cut meat into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Whisk mayonnaise, tarragon, and 1/4teaspoon black pepper into shallot mixture. Add lobster meat and toss gently to coat.

GRILLED LEMON-TARRAGON LOBSTER

Steps:

• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Stir butter lemon juice and lemon peel in heavy small saucepan over low heat until butter melts. Mix in chives and tarragon; season with salt and pepper. Set pan at edge of grill to keep sauce warm.
• Meanwhile, bring large pot of water to boil. Drop lobsters headfirst into water. Cover pot; boil lobsters 2 minutes. Transfer lobsters to work surface. Using heavy large knife or cleaver, split lobsters in half lengthwise. Scoop out and discard gray intestinal tract, gills and sand sac from head. Leave any red roe or green tomalley intact if desired. Crack claws. Brush cut side of lobsters with 1 tablespoon butter sauce.
• Grill lobsters, cut side down, 4 minutes. Turn again so that cut side is down and grill until lobster meat is just opaque but still juicy, about 2 minutes. Transfer lobsters to plates. Brush lightly with sauce. Serve, passing any remaining sauce seperately.

TO MAKE LOBSTER OIL

Steps:

• Coarsely crush 2 lobster carcasses with a mortar and pestle, then sauté with 1/2 cup canola oil, the tarragon sprig, and the orange zest in a 3-quart pot over moderately high heat until very brightly colored, 5 minutes. Add the remaining canola oil and bring to a simmer. Simmer on low heat 40 minutes.
• Strain through a cheesecloth-lined fine sieve. Cool and refrigerate up to 2 weeks or freeze up to 1 month.