Lobster And Sea Scallops With Spring Vegetables Recipes

JAMES BUDROS'S LOBSTER AND SCALLOPS WITH BEURRE BLANC

Steps:

• Drop the lobsters into boiling water, cover closely and cook about 10 minutes. Drain.
• Trim off the tough ends of each endive and trim away any brown spots. Cut each endive crosswise in half. Cut each half lengthwise into thin slices. Cut the slices into very thin julienne strips. There should be about four cups.
• Trim off the ends of the leek or leeks. Cut the leeks crosswise, green part and all, into two-inch lengths. Cut each length into very thin julienne strips. There should be about four and one-half cups.
• Heat four tablespoons of the butter in a heavy skillet and add the leeks. Cook, stirring, about 10 minutes. Add the endive, stirring to blend. Add the salt and pepper. Cover closely and cook, stirring occasionally, about three minutes.
• Meanwhile, put the scallops in a small skillet and add the wine. Bring to the boil and cook, stirring occasionally, about one minute. Drain the scallops, reserving the cooking liquid. There should be about one-quarter cup.
• Heat one tablespoon of butter and add the shallots. Add the vinegar, and cook until almost reduced. Add the reserved scallop cooking liquid. Cook until liquid almost evaporates. Add the cream, salt and pepper, and bring to the boil. Cook down until reduced almost by half. Add the remaining eight tablespoons butter, a little at a time, to the sauce, stirring with a wire whisk.
• Pull apart and crack the lobsters, removing the meat from the tails and claws. Cut the meat into neat, bite-size cubes.
• When ready to serve, transfer the hot endive and leek mixture to a warm serving dish. Arrange the lobster pieces over the center of the vegetables. Arrange the scallops around the lobster meat. Spoon the sauce equally over the scallops and lobster meat. You may garnish the top of this with the tip of the lobster heads, arranging them beak to beak. Serve on six warm dinner plates. Top each serving with a teaspoon of caviar.

FLORIDA LOBSTER AND SEA SCALLOP FRITTERS

Steps:

• For the pepper jelly: Mix together the apple jelly, green pepper, red pepper, jalapeno, parsley, onion and cilantro in a small bowl. Let set at least 1 hour to infuse the flavors.
• For the fritters: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Toss the lobster and scallops with the olive oil on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 5 minutes to parcook. Chop the lobster and dice the scallops.
• Mix together the all-purpose flour, semolina flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add the eggs, green onion, red onion, clam juice, beer, jalapeno, lobster and scallops and mix to combine. Let stand for 5 minutes
• Heat 1 inch of vegetable or canola oil in a frying pan over medium high to about 350 degrees F. Scoop the mixture in 1-tablespoon portions into the frying pan and cook until golden brown, being careful not to overcrowd the pan; carefully turn the fritters if necessary.
• Drain on paper towels and serve with the pepper jelly on the side.

SEA SCALLOPS A LA NAGE WITH JULIENNED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Cut the leeks in half lenghtwise and hold them under running water while flipping through the leaves to rinse out any sand. Cut the leaves 2 or 3 at a time into fine julienne. If the leaves are more than 4 or 5 inches long, fold them under to make them easier to julienne.
• Juluienne the carrots and turnip into 3- inch lenghts. The easiest way to do this is first to slice them with a benriner cutter (a Japanese slicer) and then with a chef's knife. Cut the celery stalk into 4-inch sections and julienne it as finely as possible. Combine the julienned vegetables, bouquet garni, and just enough water to cover- about a quart- in a 4-quart pot. Simmer gently, partially covered, for 15 minutes. Add the wine and simmer for 10 minutes more. Strain the vegetable broth, reserving the cooked vegetables and broth. About 10 minutes before you're ready to serve, put the cooked vegetables with 1/4 cup of the broth in a covered saucepan over low heat.
• Bring the remaining vegetable broth to a simmer in a saute pan just large enough to hold the scallop in a single layer. (If the pan is too large, there won't be enough liquid to cover.) Gently slide the scallops into the simmering broth. If there's not enough liquid to cover the scallops. Poach the scallops for 8 minutes. Spread 3/4 quarters of the julienned vegetables in shells. Carefully arrange the scallop on the vegetables.
• Add the chopped parsley to the simmering poaching liquid, season the liquid with salt and pepper, swirl in 1/4 cup tarragon butter and ladle enough over the fish to come about a third of the way up the sides of the fish. Arrange the rest of the julienne over the fish.