Shirataki Noodles With Lobster Flakes And Fresh Tarragon Recipes

LOBSTER GELEES WITH FRESH TARRAGON OIL

Steps:

• Cook lobsters and make stock:
• Bring 6 quarts water to a boil in pot, then plunge 2 lobsters headfirst into water and cook, covered, 8 minutes from time they enter water. Transfer with tongs to a shallow baking pan to cool. Return water to a boil and cook remaining 2 lobsters in same manner.
• When lobsters are cool enough to handle, remove meat from tail and claws and set aside. Cut tail shells and lobster bodies (not including claws) into 1-inch pieces with kitchen shears, then rinse well, discarding gills, eye sacs, tomalley, any roe, and claw shells. Transfer to a 6- to 8-quart heavy pot, then add wine, carrots, celery, fennel, onion, garlic, large tarragon sprigs, salt, fennel seeds, red-pepper flakes, and remaining 2 quarts water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until liquid is reduced to about 6 cups, about 1 1/2 hours.
• While stock reduces, scrape any coagulated white albumin from lobster meat with a knife and cut meat into 1/2-inch pieces, then chill, covered.
• Make gelées:
• Pour stock through a dampened cheesecloth-lined large sieve into a large bowl, pressing on and then discarding solids. Transfer 2 3/4 cups stock to a bowl. (Cool remaining stock completely, uncovered, then freeze in an airtight container for another use.) Sprinkle gelatin evenly over 1/4 cup stock in a 1-quart saucepan, then let stand 1 minute to soften. Heat over moderately low heat, stirring, just until gelatin is dissolved, then stir in vinegar and remaining 2 1/2 cups stock.
• Put molds in a baking pan. Add 2 teaspoons gelatin mixture to each mold and freeze until set, about 10 minutes. Put 1 small sprig of tarragon and a tip of claw meat in bottom of each mold, then divide lobster meat among molds. Fill with remaining gelatin mixture and chill, covered with plastic wrap, until set, at least 2 hours.
• To unmold, dip 1 mold in a pan of hot water 3 to 5 seconds to loosen. Run a thin knife around edge of mold and invert gelée out onto a plate. Repeat with remaining molds. Drizzle plates with fresh tarragon oil .

SHIRATAKI NOODLES WITH BROCCOLI & SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut the broccoli buds into small florets, leaving as short a stem as possible and set aside.
• Cut the remaining broccoli stems into 1/2" pieces; steam the broccoli pieces, the diced onion and the garlic, in 1 cup of lightly salted water for 10 minutes or until very soft.
• Meanwhile, place shirataki noodles in a colander, rinse in water thorourghly and drain. At this point I use my kitchen scissors to cut the noodles into bite sized pieces.
• Place the chicken broth, reserved florets and shirataki noodles into a small pot and steam or boil 4 to 5 minutes, retaining the bright green color and a bit of crunch; drain liquid and reserve.
• In a food processor, puree the cooked broccoli, onion and garlic until very smooth, adding a bit of the reserved pasta broth if needed to make a smooth sauce; add feta cheese, pulse until melted; add salt & pepper to taste.
• Pour warm sauce over the shirataki noodles & broccoli and stir gently to combine; plate and sprinkle with extra feta cheese if desired.