Vegasstylemacncheesewithgrilledlobster Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S LOBSTER MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Butter 2 gratin dishes.
• Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Cook lobster tails in skillet until slightly golden and about halfway cooked-through, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer tails to a plate to rest. When cool enough to handle, remove lobster meat from shells and chop meat. Reserve shells.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook and stir until a paste forms and flour taste cooks off, 1 to 2 minutes. Add cold milk to flour mixture; whisk until completely incorporated. Bring to a simmer; reduce heat to low, and stir in paprika, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thick, 3 to 4 minutes. Season sauce with salt.
• Stir Cheddar cheese and Gruyere cheese into milk mixture until cheese is melted. Remove from heat and stir Worcestershire sauce into cheese sauce.
• Bring a large pot of water with reserved lobster tails and a pinch of salt to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Remove and discard lobster shells, drain pasta.
• Stir macaroni into cheese sauce with thyme leaves. Divide macaroni mixture between the 2 prepared gratin dishes. Top macaroni with chopped lobster meat, poking meat down into macaroni mixture with a fork.
• Stir bread crumbs and melted butter together in a bowl. Add Parmesan cheese and stir. Top each gratin dish with bread crumb mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes.

LOBSTER MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• For the lobster and sauce: Bring a large stockpot filled three-quarters of the way with water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the lobsters to the pot, making sure that each lobster is completely submerged. Cook the lobsters until they are bright red, about 8 minutes, then drain and set aside.
• For the mac and cheese: Add the 1 quart heavy cream, Parmesan, Dijon, Worcestershire, hot sauce, pepper and a pinch of salt to a large skillet over medium heat. Simmer gently, whisking until smooth. Add the Gruyere and turn off the heat. Carefully stir and let melt. Taste for seasoning and stir occasionally until melted and smooth.
• Bring 4 quarts water to a rolling boil in a large pot over medium heat. Add salt and bring the water back to a boil. Add the macaroni and stir with a wooden spoon to ensure the macaroni does not stick to the bottom of the pot. Cook until the macaroni is still quite firm, about 7 minutes. Drain and transfer to a glass bowl. Add the cheese sauce and stir to combine; keep warm.
• Carefully remove the lobster meat from the tails, claws and legs, taking care to remove any cartilage from the claw meat. Cut the meat into bite-size pieces, put in a medium bowl and then season with a pinch of salt. Discard the tail and body shells but keep the heads. Cut the heads in half.
• For the lobster sauce: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add the shallots and cook until tender, about 4 minutes, then add the head halves and steam in the shallot butter, about 3 minutes. Carefully add the cognac and cook down until there is very little liquid left in the skillet, 2 to 3 minutes, then add the shrimp stock. Raise the heat to high and cook until reduced by about half, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the 1/2 cup heavy cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir to combine and return to a simmer until the butter melts, then remove from heat. Add the lemon juice, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl and add the chopped tarragon. Add the lobster and gently toss to fully coat. Season to taste with salt.
• Fill serving bowls halfway with macaroni and cheese and top with the lobster and sauce. Repeat with another layer of macaroni and top with the remaining lobster and sauce. Finish with a pinch of salt.

LOBSTER MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with salted water and set it over high heat to come to a boil. Plunge lobster into water and cover pot. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until it is bright red. Check doneness by pulling an antenna; if it comes off without resistance, the lobster is done. Remove lobster to a bowl and allow to cool.
• Meanwhile, heat oven to 375 degrees, with a rack in the upper third of the oven. Use a tablespoon of butter to butter a 9-by-13-inch-square baking pan.
• In a blender, purée cottage cheese, milk, mustard, cayenne and nutmeg, and lightly season with salt and pepper. Transfer mixture to a large bowl, add grated cheese and uncooked pasta and stir well to combine. Pour into prepared pan, cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, crack lobster claws and tail over the bowl and remove the meat, reserving all liquid that comes out of the lobster. Roughly chop lobster meat.
• Uncover baking pan, gently stir in lobster meat and up to 2 tablespoons of the reserved lobster juices, and dot with remaining tablespoon of butter. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes more, until browned on top. Let cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

LOBSTER MAC & CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring salted water to boil and add noodles. Cook 8 - 10 minutes (do not overcook). in a double boiler, combine cheddar cheese, 4 oz. parmesan cheese, cream cheese and Gruyere cheeses. Heat until blended.
• Gradually add cream, stirring until smooth.
• In a large pan, heat olive oil, add shallots and garlic. Saute. Add lobster meat and cook until opaque. Remove from heat.
• Drain pasta. Add to lobster mix, then add cheese sauce, salt and pepper. Mix well.
• Place in casserole dish, sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese and top with breadcrumbs.
• Bake at 350°F for 6-8 minutes until breadcrumbs are golden brown.