Lobsters with Beurre Blanc

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lobster-beurre-0611mld106421.jpg
Photo: Ditte Isager
Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
4

Beurre blanc, the classic French butter sauce, is wonderful spooned over lobsters. This version gets a hint of sweetness from the addition of fresh orange juice.

Ingredients

  • Coarse salt

  • 2 whole lobsters (1 ¼ pounds each)

  • ½ cup dry white wine

  • ½ cup fresh orange juice (from 2 oranges)

  • 1 shallot, minced (about ¼ cup)

  • 6 whole black peppercorns

  • 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons

  • cup cold heavy cream

  • Freshly ground white pepper

  • Fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges

Directions

  1. Fill a large pot two-thirds full with water. Add 1/4 cup salt. Bring to a boil. Add lobsters, and cook until bright red and almost cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate using tongs, and let stand until cool enough to handle. Cut each in half lengthwise using a knife or kitchen shears. Remove head sac, green tomalley, intestine, and any coral; transfer lobsters to a rimmed baking sheet.

  2. Bring white wine, orange juice, shallot, and peppercorns to a boil in a medium skillet over high heat. Cook until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 6 minutes. Strain mixture; return liquid to skillet (you should have about 3 tablespoons). Reduce heat to low. Whisk in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until thick and smooth. Remove from heat.

  3. Whisk cream until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream into beurre blanc. Season with salt, white pepper, and lemon juice.

  4. Heat broiler. Spoon half the beurre blanc over lobsters. Scatter lemons around lobsters. Broil until beurre blanc is bubbling and lobsters are cooked through, about 2 minutes. Remove from oven. Spoon remaining beurre blanc over lobsters. Serve with lemons.

Cook's Notes

Martha uses lobsters that are no heavier than a pound and a quarter, and prefers soft-shell lobsters, which have more tender meat.

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