A couple weeks back, Heff threw down a food challenge featuring lobster, and I decided to participate- as I love the crawly creatures of the deep blue seas.. I came up with a menu, which by the photos looks simple, but really was involved, and time consuming!
My offerings were: Lobster brushetta, lobster crab chowder, with an almond cherry cheesecake for dessert.
The lobster was live, and had to be steamed, then taken from the shell. It was steamed/boiled in water, flavored only with sea salt and Old Bay seasoning. The crab was in the shell but cooked and frozen, so thawing and getting the meat out was work, too!
1. The Brushetta was a toasted Artisan French bread, cut on the bias about 1/2" thick. It was then spread with French Port Salut soft cheese until covered. This is a cheese remindful of Brie, but with much more flavor! I minced all toppings, lobster, black olives, green olives, onions, and tomatoes and laid them in lines on the cheese, which held them in place nicely. A light sprinkle of Old Bay on top added zip.. This was a rich, many layered flavor appetizer that was quite tasty and substantial...A few cut chives were tasty and had eye appeal..
2. My chowder consisted of large chunks of cooked lobster and crab, in a base liquid of Half and half cream, with a splash of Chenin Blanc. There were fresh corn kernels, celery, onion, and red bell pepper- all chopped and sauteed in butter and Old Bay seasoning. When tender, they were added to the main liquid. I thickened with a butter and flour roux to proper consistency, and topped with a light sprinkling of Old Bay...again, a few chives added flavor and color to the chowder..
The cheesecake was part of the half I froze after Easter, with a cherry topping that matched the almond flavor of the cake beautifully...
The leftover toppings for the Brushetta will be mixed together to make a spread for crackers or more toast..I feel the flavors would be less segregated that way..
Well, Heff and Donna- that's what I'm offering as my entry to your fun(but exausting!) challenge!!!
P.S. My wife was a huge help in this post..shopping, helping with the prep, etc. Had to give her some of the credit for your kind comments!
35 comments:
oh wow. yeah i love the taste of our creepy crawly friends from the deep...these sound wonderful...and the cheesecake to top it off...mmm...
oh kay now - this looks good - I need to run out and get my lobster since I was planning on participating in this one as well (since I missed the last one) my fear here is that you put lobster in the cheescake (not that thats a bad thing)
It's beautiful. Ryan was griping that he's never had lobster, to which I told him to get a job, and nevermind that he's only 13, so he can afford it. It's a beautiful menu overall, Buff!
I am HIDING THIS from my wife--the Lobster Queen!
She will enjoy this immensely as I did!
Bravo!
J
OLD BAT- is the cats meow!
Brian- I actually prefer crab to lobster- Cheaper, more tender, and more taste..
DogB- It started as fun, but was more work than I intended! The tastes were as described..
Marjie- Thanks! I think it's the first time we got out our good dishes in ages!
John- I haven't cleaned a lobster in years- took a while!
This is impressive. Nice. Lobster can be a lot of work and with only a small amount of meat to enjoy.
You did fabulous. I have never attempted to cook a lobster.
Chowder and cheese cake! How can you go wrong?!
Velva- Lots of leftovers... :)
Jen- That's exactly what I thought!
Very nice. Lobster's a BITCH, ain't it ? The post was actually supposed to be put up on 04/16/2010, but that's aight. Just remember to come to my blog Friday and comment "I'M UP" so all the other contestants can come to your blog to see what you did.
The winner will be announced on my blog 04/19/2010.
I don't think it looks simple! I think it looks elegant!!
I agree with Jen and Pam! Love the combo and it does sounds really elegant. I haven't had lobster for ages. Been thinking about a simple lobster roll! yum
Heff- I had one who had a shell like a bullet proof vest!
Pam- Thanks! It was a little upscale from the normal..
Highlander- I was thinking lobster cakes, but I love chowder( minus the usual potatoes!)
This is beautiful, BD! I love lobster, bruschetta and cheesecake and love that you've got it all in one tasty post!
BD-- LOL-- I meant Old Bay..what a goof!
I used to catch them off the second reef (About 15-20 feet-easy snorkeling) in Ft. Lauderdale /Hollywood area- back in the day!. I honestly could not clean one now at all!
Great job!
J
Vick- I tried to tie the flavors together, yet be quite different from each other.. thanks for noticing!
John- If I lived by the ocean, I think I would eat seafood every day!
You two eat like royalty!
BlueV- That day, we did! Back to casseroles..
Buffalo I think look fantastic!!! aah many times I dont eat lobster but really I love it! I think is wonderful Buffalo, really nice, gloria
Gloria- Your praise is always a great feeling! I think you know seafood far better than I! Love to read your posts on seafood!
Yum! I love lobster but have never tried to cook it myself. I like when the casinos comp my lobsters.
OK, don't laugh. Is it true they scream when you cook them or is somebody giving me a hard time?
My wife is so inconsiderate, she is allergic to lobster despite my love for lobster tail.
I have been craving lobster. Wow! Your menu made my mouth water.
Seriously!
Thanks!
If it involves cleaning crustaceons, It's far from easy!
I know it Kicked Ass!
Jen- It's humane to stab the lobster behind the head(in the neck) before boiling.. They don't scream if you don't, that is steam escaping their body- sounds like a whistle or scream sometimes..
Chris- My wife loves it, but we both like crab better!
Momster- A splurge once in a while for us.. we don't eat out much!
G-man- I was pleased with results, even if a bit rich!
Lots of work turned out some spectacular dishes! Each one is making my mouth water! And kudos to your wife as well.
I DO eat seafood every day! And you should borrow my daughter for lobster cleaning. She is a pro.
Barb- Like a lot of things, once you do them, you remember...I could clean another one in half the time!
I'm allergic to shellfish, so I couldn't try it!
I LOVE lobster and living so close to the coast is my excuse for having it often. I just took a bunch of photos and am going to do a whole post on "how to eat a whole lobster"...
Interesting you don't use your mire-poix (celery, onion, pepper in butter) as the base for your rue to thicken the soup. You add flour to this, cook until the flour is no longer raw, then add your hot liquid to all of that - thereby thickening your soup and keeping all the flavors of the mirepoix.. just a cook's meandering thought....
I want to make out with that chowder!
BlondeD- My brother is allergic to all fish except shellfish!
Good Cook- both work..I made roux then added liquid, then added sauteed veggies with butter- perfect..
Darngirl- I bet you would, too!
When's dinner?
Sage- I guess you liked it!
chowder sounds gross, but it looks delicious !
Donna- I know you know the difference between chowder and bisque..One is pureed, and the other in chunks- chowder is chunks of goodness- you can drink bisque through a straw!
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