2007 Paccheri With Caprese Lobster Salad Recipes

PAR-COOKED LOBSTERS

Steps:

• Place lobsters in a container with tight-fitting lid. Cover with cold water, remove lobsters and measure water. Pour water into another large pot, and add 1 tablespoon vinegar for every quart of water. Boil.
• Return lobsters to lidded container. Pour the hot water over them, cover and steep 2 minutes for 1 1/2-pound lobsters, 3 minutes for 2-pound lobsters. Remove lobsters. Reserve water in container.
• Pull off lobster claws and knuckles, and return to hot water for 5 minutes. Twist off tails, and discard bodies.
• Snip through bottom sides of tail shells with shears. Remove meat. Discard shells. Cut tail meat in half lengthwise. Remove vein running through top of meat. Place meat on a platter lined with paper towel, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• Remove claws from hot water. Twist off knuckles, and reserve. Hold claw, pull down on small pincer and pull it off. Use heavy shears to snip shell at knuckle end enough to open it; remove meat in one piece. Add to platter with tail meat.
• Use shears to snip through the knuckle shell, pry open and remove meat. Add to the platter.

2007: PACCHERI WITH CAPRESE LOBSTER SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare the salad: bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the lobster and cook for 11 minutes. Remove the lobster and reserve the cooking water. When the lobster is cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the shell and cut it into 1/2 -inch pieces.
• In a medium bowl, fold together the mozzarella, tomatoes, lobster, basil and olive oil. Season to taste with sea salt.
• Return the lobster water to a boil. Stir in the pasta and cook for 7 minutes (it should still be firm).
• Meanwhile, set a 10-inch sauté pan over medium heat and pour in the olive oil. When it starts to shimmer, add the garlic and sauté until golden around the edges. Add a ladleful (about 1/2 cup) of the pasta water to the sauté pan.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the paccheri to the sauté pan. Cook over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Stir in the parsley.
• Divide the pasta among 4 plates (or 6 if serving as an appetizer). Top each with the lobster salad.