Very Best Monkeyed-Up Lobster Dish

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Title: VERY BEST MONKEYED-UP LOBSTER DISH
Categories: Shellfish
Yield: 1 servings

1 md Lobster; or 1/2 large
1 Shallot, sliced
3 Morels, halved; regular
-mushrooms will do)
Butter
1 oz Wine, white
1 tb Bourbon; Cognac will do
1 oz Heavy cream; or more
-salt

Very best lobster dish: Steam 1 big lobster per person over sea
water. The really big ones (2+ lb.) aren't done as soon as they turn
red - let them cook a couple more minutes beyond that; little
lobsters are ready as soon as they turn red. Have an assistant remove
the claw meat (keep whole) and whatever knuckle meat and roe (s)he
can find while you take the tails and either (depending on their
size) halve them lengthwise or cut them through the shell into
slices. Heat a big knob of butter in a big saucepan and toss the tail
pieces in the hot butter for a minute. Remove the tails to a hot
platter. Dump the shallots and mushrooms in the same butter and toss
for a minute; then remove them to the same platter. While the butter
is still hot, add white wine and bourbon (Cognac will do); let cook
down for 15 secs or so and then add cream, slowly and keeping the
heat high. While your assistant arranges the tails on individual
plates, with the claws and maybe some watercress or parsley as
garnish, keep an eye on the sauce as it thickens. When the sauce is
thick, add a little salt if you need it and dump in the onions,
mushrooms, roe, and knuckle meat. Pour sauce over lobster tails and
serve at once. Save the tomalley for: Tomalley croustades. Fry rounds
from a baguette or other very thin loaf in butter until they just
begin to turn golden. Drain on paper towels. When they are cool,
spread them with lobster tomalley mixed with heavy cream to make a
thick paste. You may grate a tiny bit of Gruyere or other Swiss-style
cheese over each one. Put under the broiler for a few seconds until
the tops bubble.

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