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Warm Lobster Salad with Gazpacho Consommé
© Tina Rupp

Warm Lobster Salad with Gazpacho Consommé

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  • ACTIVE: 45 MIN
  • TOTAL TIME: 1 HR 15 MIN PLUS 4 HR TO DRAIN
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • HEALTHY
  • STAFF-FAVORITE

Consommé

  1. 2 pounds tomatoes, chopped
  2. 2 medium red bell peppers, chopped
  3. 1 medium cucumber, peeled and chopped
  4. 1 medium red onion, chopped
  5. 1 large garlic clove, chopped
  6. 1/4 cup basil leaves
  7. 1/4 cup sherry vinegar
  8. 2 dashes of Tabasco
  9. 1 tablespoon kosher salt

lobster salad

  1. Two 1 1/2-pound live lobsters
  2. 4 thick asparagus spears
  3. 1/4 pound thin green beans
  4. 2 tablespoons late-harvest Riesling or other sweet white dessert wine
  5. 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  6. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  7. Salt and freshly ground pepper
  8. 4 scallions, thinly sliced
  9. 3 celery ribs, peeled and very thinly sliced, plus 1/4 cup celery leaves
  10. 2 cups mixed baby greens, preferably micro greens
  1. In a food processor, puree the tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumber, red onion, garlic, basil, vinegar, Tabasco and salt. Line a colander with a double layer of dampened cheesecloth and then with a layer of dampened coffee filters. Set the colander over a deep bowl. Pour the puree into the colander and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. You should have about 3 cups of clear liquid in the bowl. Discard the puree.
  2. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the lobsters just until they turn bright red, 8 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the lobsters to a bowl and let cool.
  3. Twist off the lobster claws and remove the meat in 1 piece. Twist off the tails; using scissors, cut down the soft underside and remove the tail meat in 1 piece. Split the tail meat lengthwise; remove and discard the dark intestinal veins. Put all of the lobster meat on a rimmed baking sheet.
  4. Preheat the oven to 350°. In a medium saucepan of boiling salted water, cook the asparagus and beans until barely tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and let cool. Thinly slice the asparagus and beans on a diagonal.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk the Riesling with the lemon juice and olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Brush the lobster meat with 2 tablespoons of the Riesling dressing and bake for about 3 minutes, or until just heated through.
  6. Arrange the asparagus, beans, scallions and sliced celery in the center of 4 shallow bowls, mounding them slightly. Carefully pour about 3/4 cup of the consommé around the vegetables in each bowl. In a small bowl, toss the baby greens and celery leaves with the remaining Riesling dressing. Set the warmed lobster on the vegetables, top with the dressed greens and serve.

Suggested Pairing

A round, luscious Chardonnay without much oak will showcase the mild poached lobster here. Consider a Chablis.