Thanksgiving, when family and friends gather together to feast on delights as they catch up on the latest news, is just around the corner.
As you prepare the menu for your holiday table, you are sure to have all of the standard dishes. Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and mashed potatoes are a part of tradition. Why not spice up your meal this year by adding lobster to the list?
Choose from a wide selection of savory recipes that will tempt the taste buds and have your guests looking forward to them when Thanksgiving rolls around again. Adding a treasure from the sea could make lobster your new tradition each year.
Begin with a Lobster Bisque
Restaurants often begin the meal by offering soup as an opening dish. Warm the hearts and satisfy the stomachs of those gathered around your dining room table with a hearty, lobster bisque.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
· Two lobsters that weigh at least 2 1/2 pounds
· Set aside four tablespoons of butter
· A sliced stalk of celery
· Four cloves of garlic,minced
· Two bay leaves
· A sliced shallot
· A small bulb of fennel that has been sliced
· A half a cup of sherry
· Two teaspoons of black peppercorns
· A half cup of tomato paste
· Four cups of fish stock
· Four cups of water
· A half cup of heavy cream
· Two tablespoons of corn starch
· Fresh thyme for your garnish
Once your lobster has been cooked, remove the lobster meat, chop it up, and refrigerate it. Be sure to save your shells. Put two tablespoons of butter in an ample saucepan and melt them down over a medium level of heat. Put your lobster shells in the pan and cook them for about eight minutes to add a nice flavor to your bisque. Your sherry will be added next and cooked for two minutes. Add your shallot, fennel, celery, garlic, peppercorn, and bay leaves next for five minutes. Your water and fish stock are added next, brought to a boil, then simmered for 40 minutes. You’ll want to strain your liquid into a bowl to remove the shells and anything solid, wipe out your sauce pan, and add butter again to the pan. Melt it down, add your corn starch and tomato paste, making sure you whisk it for two minutes. Finally, whisk in your broth and lobster meat, simmering for approximately five minutes. You’re ready to serve. This dish is so delicious that it will be hard to save room for the main course.
Serve Lobster
In addition to recipes that mix it up with lobster as a main ingredient, you can always serve fresh, boiled lobster alongside your turkey. The pilgrims at Plymouth Rock had a ready supply of the red-shelled beauty. It’s simple, can be served with melted butter or a nutmeg vinaigrette, and will have everyone talking about this mouthwatering addition to your menu.
Thanksgiving is a time to have gratitude for all of your blessings. With lobster rounding out your celebration, everyone will be grateful for a delightful meal.
Photo: flickr.com
