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Soups and Stews | |
| 2 lobsters, about 1 1/2 pounds each, or 12 ounces lightly cooked lobster meat 3 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup finely diced celery 1 cup finely diced leek Salt and pepper 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon chopped thyme leaves 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest 1 cup half-and-half 2 teaspoons potato starch dissolved in 2 tablespoons cold water 1/4 cup cr�me fra�che 2 baked 6-inch diameter flaky pastry lids (see below) 1 tablespoon chopped parsley 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon or dill 1 tablespoon chives, cut very small 2 tablespoons chopped celery leaves, from interior stalks. Pastry top 150 grams all-purpose flour (about 1 cup), plus more for dusting Salt 8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut in 1/4-inch cubes 1 egg yolk 1 tablespoon half-and-half. | |
| Pastry 1. Put the flour and a pinch salt in a mixing bowl. With fingers, work half the butter (4 tablespoons) into the flour until completely incorporated. Add the remaining butter, leaving it in small chunks. Quickly stir in 1/4 cup ice water to form a somewhat sticky ball. Knead together briefly, wrap in plastic, and press to make a flat disk about 1-inch thick. Refrigerate overnight or for at least an hour. 2. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to a diameter of about 12 1/2 inches. Using an inverted bowl as a guide, cut two 6-inch diameter circles. (The remaining dough can be rerolled and saved for another purpose.) Mix egg yolk and half- and-half. Place the circles on a parchment-lined baking sheet and paint lightly with the egg yolk mixture. 3. Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees, then lower the temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking until nicely browned, about 10 minutes. (May be baked ahead, if desired, and reheated.) Yield: 2 lids. Stew 1. Place the lobsters in a large pot of rapidly boiling water over high heat. Cook for 6 minutes, then remove and cool in a large bowl of cold water. Take the meat from the claws, tail and knuckles. (Discard shells or use for lobster stock.) Cut meat into roughly 1/2-inch chunks and set aside. 2. Melt the butter in a wide, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and leek, season with salt and pepper, stir and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the lobster meat, cayenne, thyme and lemon zest and stir together. 3. Pour in the half-and-half and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the potato starch mixture and cook until thickened, about 1 minute. Check the seasoning and adjust, then stir in the cr�me fra�che. 4. Spoon the hot lobster stew into 2 deep bowls. Place a baked pastry lid on each. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley, tarragon, chives and celery leaves, and serve immediately. | |
Unrated | |
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