Lobster Capellini with Leek-Tarragon Cream Sauce

Ingredients

1. 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter
2. 4 large leeks, white and tender green parts, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
3. 1/4 cup dry white wine
4. 1 tablespoon finely chopped tarragon, plus 1/4 cup leaves
5. 1 cup heavy cream
6. Salt and freshly ground pepper
7. 1 medium beet, peeled and coarsely shredded
8. 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
9. 2 tablespoons water
10. 1 pound cooked lobster meat (from three 1 1/2-pound lobsters)
11. 1 pound capellini

1. In a large saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter. Add the leeks and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and chopped tarragon and cook until the wine evaporates, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cream and season with salt and pepper. Cover partially and cook over low heat until the cream is slightly reduced, about 10 minutes. Scrape the mixture into a blender and puree until smooth. Return the creamy leek sauce to the saucepan and season with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm.
2. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a small skillet. Add the shredded beet, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring constantly, until tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice.
3. In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in the water over moderately low heat, whisking constantly. Add the lobster meat and cook just until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Keep warm.
4. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until barely al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot and add the leek sauce, reserved pasta water and the butter from the lobster; season with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Transfer the pasta to plates or shallow bowls and top with the lobster meat. Garnish with the beets and tarragon leaves and serve at once.