Lobster Salad With Saffron Potatoes And Crispy Leeks Recipes

SMOKY LOBSTER SALAD WITH POTATOES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and lobsters, let the water return to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove lobsters and let cool to room temperature. Probe potatoes with a small knife to make sure they are fully cooked, then drain and let cool to room temperature. (Alternatively, cook potatoes in a separate pot.)
• Meanwhile, roast the peppers: Place whole peppers over the flames of a gas stovetop burner turned to high, under the broiler or over a bed of hot coals. Turn the peppers frequently with tongs, allowing the skins to completely blacken, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and place in a bowl.
• When the peppers cool, cut them in half, top to bottom. Use a spoon to remove the seeds, then place the peppers flat on a cutting board blackened-side up. With a paring knife, scrape away the charred skin and wipe with a paper towel. Don't worry if a few charred specks remain- do not rinse. Cut peppers into 1/2-inch-wide strips.
• Remove lobster meat from shell. (A pair of strong kitchen shears is a good tool to use.) Cut tail meat crosswise into 1/2-inch slices, and claw meat into similar pieces. Reserve knuckle and head meat for a cook's treat.
• To make the salad, slice the potatoes into 1/4-inch slices and arrange in one layer on a large platter without crowding. Top each potato slice with a piece of lobster. Drape pepper strips over lobster and decorate with cherry tomatoes.
• Sprinkle lightly with salt and drizzle generously with olive oil. Dust surface with pimentón. Garnish with parsley leaves and serve at room temperature.

LOBSTER SALAD ON CRISPY BAGUETTES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix the lobster meat, celery, red onion, mayonnaise, lemon zest and salt and pepper, to taste. Reserve in the refrigerator. Cut the baguette into thin 1/4-inch slices. Lay out on a sheet pan and bake at 350 degrees F until lightly browned. When the bread is cool, spoon a generous amount of the lobster salad onto the baguette and garnish with a chervil sprig.

SAFFRON LOBSTER SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the white wine and garlic in a large pot and bring the liquid to a boil over medium heat. Add the lobsters, cover and steam for 12 minutes. Take the lobsters out of the pot. Set aside to cool. When the lobsters are cool enough to handle, remove the tail and claw meat from the shell and cut it into bite-size pieces. Refrigerate.
• Strain the lobster broth through a sieve lined with cheesecloth into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until it reduces to 1/4 cup, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the saffron and set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a pot, cover with cold water and simmer over medium heat until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold running water until cool. Cut the potatoes in half. Set aside.
• Pour the cooled lobster sauce into a large salad bowl. Whisk in the lemon juice and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add the potatoes, lobster and basil. Toss gently. Refrigerate for up to 4 hours before serving.

SAFFRON LOBSTER SALAD ON GRILLED FINGERLINGS

Steps:

• Cook's Note: Use the leftover lobster meat from the whole lobsters that were cooked in the Grilled Lobster Tails with Green Curry-Mango Dipping Sauce recipe.
• Add vinegar, saffron, and honey to a small skillet and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Turn off the heat and let mixture cool to room temperature. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, garlic, and cooled vinegar mixture. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, combine the lobster, celery, onion, and chives, and stir together. Add 1/2 cup of the saffron mayonnaise to the mixture and stir well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Preheat the grill to medium-high. Brush potatoes with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill potatoes, cut-side down, until golden brown. Turn over and grill for 2 more minutes. Remove potatoes from the grill and place a small dollop of lobster salad on each potato.

LOBSTER SALAD IN POTATO LEEK NESTS

Steps:

• For the nests: Heat about 4 inches of vegetable oil to 340 degrees F in a 4-quart saucepan. (Use a saucepan that is taller than it is wide.) Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
• While the oil is heating, halve and rinse the leeks. Slice them thinly and put in a medium bowl. Peel the potatoes and use a mandoline to julienne them. (To julienne without a mandoline, slice the potatoes about 1/8 inch thick, stack the slices, and slice 1/8-inch thick.) Toss the potatoes, butter, flour, salt and pepper with the leeks.
• Scoop about 1 cup of the potato mixture into a bird's next frying basket and immerse in the hot oil until set and golden brown. Transfer to the paper towels and repeat with the remaining mixture.
• For the lobster salad: Combine the mayonnaise, mustard, lemon zest and juice, cayenne pepper, chives and tarragon in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Gently fold in lobster, fennel and celery. Taste and season with more salt and pepper, if necessary
• To serve, place a potato and leek nest in the centers of 4 plates. Mound a small bunch of frisee in the middle of the nests, and then top with some the lobster salad. Garnish with chives and caviar.
• Copyright 2005 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.

CRISPY POTATOES AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Melt 1 tbls. of butter in a heavy large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add leeks; cook 3 minutes or until soft. Place in a large bowl and cool. Reserve skillet.
• Shred potatoes using food processor or grater, working quickly to avoid discoloration. Rinse potatoes under cold water; pat dry with paper towels. Place in the bowl with the leeks. Add green onions, salt, pepper and thyme. Toss to combine.
• Spray a 11"x7" baking dish with nonstick cookiing spray. Heat 1 1/2 tbls. of the butter and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the oil in the same skillet over medium high heat until melted and hot. Spoon half of the potato mixture into skillet, and cook 5-8 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden brown, stirring frequently. Spread evenly in baking dish. Repeat with remaining butter, oil, and potato mixture.(Potatoes can be made to this point oup to 1 day ahead. Bring to room temperature before reheating).
• Heat oven to 350*F. Bake 20 minutes or until heated through. Heat broiler; broil 4-6 minutes or until top is browned and slightly crisp. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. Enjoy!

TANGY POTATO AND LEEK SALAD

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring potatoes to a boil over high in salted water. Reduce to a rapid simmer and cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, 15 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer potatoes to a large bowl. Return water to a boil, add leeks, and cook until tender, 10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer leeks to a blender. Add mustard, oil, vinegar, and 1/3 cup water; puree until very smooth. (Use caution when blending hot liquids.)
• Add leek mixture to potatoes and toss; season with salt and pepper. Top with parsley and serve warm or at room temperature.