Tournedos of lotte with lobster & lobster but

6 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
poundsLobster
2tablespoonsButter, clarified **
1smallOnion, coarsely chopped
1Carrot, peeled and coarsely chopped
1Celery stalk, trimmed and coarsely chopped
1Garlic clove, peeled, crushed
1Thyme, fresh, sprig OR
¼teaspoonThyme, dried
1Tarragon, fresh, sprig OR
¼teaspoonTarragon, dried
1Bay leaf
2tablespoonsCognac
3poundsButter, unsalted
cupTomato paste
18Lotte, (Monkfish), skinned fillet, (@ 2 oz each)
½cupButter, clarified **
¼cupShallot, finely chopped
¼cupCognac
2cupsCream, whipping
Salt (to taste)
Pepper, white (to taste)
Parsley, sprigs
2 minutes.

Directions

LOBSTER BUTTER

LOTTE AND SAUCE

** See recipe for Clarified Butter.

For Lobster Butter: =================== Steam or boil lobsters until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

Cool, then remove all lobster meat from shells. Refrigerate meat, covered; set aside.

In large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons clarified butter. Add onion, carrot, celery, garlic, thyme, tarragon, and bay leaf; toss over high heat 3 minutes.

Add lobster shells, stirring; then add 2 tablespoons Cognac and stir for 3 minutes.

Add butter and tomato paste and simmer gently, covered, 2 to 3 hours.

Strain, pressing solids firmly. Set aside for 15 minutes.

Skim any froth from surface and strain again through several layers of dampened cheesecloth, leaving behind any milky residue in bottom of pan (discard residue.) Cool, then chill or freeze in small containers.

For Lotte and Sauce: ==================== Pat lotte dry; sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Heat ½ cup clarified butter in heavy large skillet over medium high heat. Working in batches if necessary, saute lotte until lightly golden, about 2 minutes per side. Scatter shallot around fish and cook 2 minutes longer.

Pour in ½ cup Cognac and cook 1 minute longer. Transfer to warm serving plates and keep warm.

Add 1 cup cream to skillet and reduce by half.

Add remaining cup and boil until thick enough to coat a spoon lightly. Lower heat and spoon in the ½ cup lobster butter a little at a time, whisking constantly. Strain sauce into clean saucepan. Cut reserved lobster meat into thick slices and add. Simmer gently Place lobster pieces between pieces of lotte. Nap with sauce; garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Source: New York's Master Chefs, Bon Appetit Magazine : Written by Richard Sax, Photographs by Nancy McFarland : The Knapp Press, Los Angeles, 1985 Chef: Stanley Kramer, Oyster Bar and Restaurant, : Grand Central Station, NYC