Lobster And Confetti Vegetable Salad Recipes

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.

Steps:

• Combine the lobster, mayonnaise, celery, capers, dill, salt, and pepper. With a sharp knife, cut off the base of the endive and separate the leaves. Use a teaspoon to fill the end of each endive leaf with lobster salad. Arrange on a platter and serve.

Steps:

• Place the lobster chunks into a medium bowl, and pour the melted butter over. Toss to coat, then stir in mayonnaise and season with black pepper. Cover and chill for 20 minutes before serving.

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.

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.

Steps:

• Cook fettuccine in boiling water about 30 seconds after water has returned to boil.
• Combine olives, garlic, parsley, mayonnaise and yogurt. Whisk vinegar with oil and combine with mayonnaise mixture. Gently stir in lobster and add fettuccine to mixture. Refrigerate until serving time.
• Just before serving, cube avocado and mix in carefully.