Roast Lobster With Vanilla Sauce

Name: Roast Lobster With Vanilla Sauce
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 2 live lobsters, 1 1/4- to 1 1/2-pounds each; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 7 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons unsalted butter; 3 shallots, peeled and finely chopped; 1/2 cup white wine; 1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar; 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; Freshly ground pepper to taste; 3/4 pound tender spinach, stemmed; 1 pound watercress, stemmed

Recipe from Alain Senderens

Adapted by Karen Kochevar

Total Time: 50 minutes
Rating: 4(7)
Comments: Read comments

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Ingredients

Yield:2 servings

2live lobsters, 1¼- to 1½-pounds each
1tablespoon olive oil
7tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
3shallots, peeled and finely chopped
½cup white wine
1½tablespoons white wine vinegar
½vanilla bean, split lengthwise
½teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
¾pound tender spinach, stemmed
1pound watercress, stemmed

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
Place a roasting pan large enough to hold the lobsters in the oven, and preheat to 450 degrees. With the tip of a sharp knife pierce the lobsters between the eyes to sever the spinal cord. Crack the claws using the blunt edge of a cleaver or a hammer. Place the lobsters in the hot roasting pan, drizzle with oil and roast until red, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, and set aside.
Step 2
Melt 2 teaspoons of butter in a small saucepan, add the shallots and saute over low heat until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add wine and vinegar, raise heat and cook at a moderate boil until the liquid is reduced to 1 tablespoon, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, and whisk in 6 tablespoons of butter, about 1 tablespoon at a time until all is incorporated. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the sauce, stir to combine and strain into a clean saucepan. Season with ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper, and set aside.
Step 3
When the lobsters are cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the claws. Detach the tails, and discard the heads. With a pair of scissors, cut the shell on the underside of each tail in half lengthwise, remove the meat and cut into ¼-inch-thick slices. Loosely cover the meat with aluminum foil, and keep warm.
Step 4
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large pot, and add spinach and watercress. Stir until greens have melted down, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until greens are tender, about 5 minutes. Season with ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper.
Step 5
To serve, reheat the sauce over low heat until warm, whisking constantly. Place a bed of greens on each plate, arrange the lobster meat on top and spoon the sauce over the lobster. Serve immediately.