“If you’re going to eat lobster, you might as well poach it in butter,” says Matthew Tropeano, Executive Chef of La Silhouette in New York. And boy, is he right.
By Matthew Tropeano
My lobster philosophy is very simple: “If you’re going to eat lobster, you might as well poach it in butter.”.
This succulent seafood dish utilizes a classic ‘Sauce Americaine’ and leek fondue. The end result is rich but not heavy, flavorful and in complete balance. It is a recipe that easily be used impress at any dinner party.
Matthew Tropeano’s Black Bass and Butter Poached Lobster
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
Black Bass and Butter Poached Lobster with Sauce Americaine and Leek Fondue
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 2lb black bass, filleted and skin off
- 1 1lb Maine lobster
- 1 large leek, small diced white and light green parts only (save the dark green part for soups)
- cup (118.3 g) of sliced onions, celery, and carrot (equal parts)
- cup (118.3 g) of tarragon
- 1 cup (.236 L) of Cognac
- 2 cups (.473 L) dry white wine
- cup (.118 L) Pernod
- 3 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
- cup (59.15 mL) heavy cream
- 2 sticks of butter, unsalted
Instructions
- FOR THE LOBSTER AND AMERICAIN SAUCE:
- Boil ½ gallon of water with ½ cup of white vinegar.
- Place lobster in a deep bowl. Pour boiling water over lobsters. Keep the lobster submerged for 3 minutes and no longer.
- Remove the lobster from the water and take the meat out of the shells. The meat should be “undercooked”. Reserve the lobsters and refrigerate. Save the lobster shells and bodies.
- In a heavy sauce pot, saute the lobster shells in olive oil.
- Add the cup of mixed onion, celery and carrot. Cook until vegetables are translucent.
- Add in the chopped tomatoes. Cook 5 minutes.
- Add cognac, Pernod, and white wine. Reduce liquid to half.
- Finally, cover the shells and vegetables with cold water.
- Bring stock to a boil, and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 1 hour.
- Strain liquid into another sauce pot. Reduce this liquid half way. Add heavy cream and whisk in 2 tbsp of butter. Reserve sauce for plating.
- FOR THE LEEK FONDUE:
- Add 2 tbsp of butter to a medium heated skillet. Add 1 spoon of water to that. Add the leeks, some salt and white pepper for seasoning.
- Cover leeks with parchment paper, to slowly steam while cooking for 10 minutes.
- Reserve leeks for plating.
- TO COOK THE LOBSTER:
- Place a ¼ cup of water in a small sauce pan.
- Cut 1 stick of butter into small cubes.
- Warm the water on medium to high heat and gradually whisk in the butter to make buerre fondue. The butter should melt into the pan, but not separate.
- Cut the lobster tail in half lengthwise.
- Place the tail, knuckles, and claws into the buerre fondue on low heat. Gently warm the lobster and hold for plating.
- TO COOK THE BASS:
- In a medium sauté pan, heat ¼ cup of olive oil.
- Saute the fish on high heat for 2 minutes on one side.
- Then flip the fish and finish cooking for about 2 more minutes.
- TO PLATE:
- Place a mound of the leek fondue on the base of the plate.
- Place the black bass on top of the leeks.
- Top the bass with a half lobster tail, claw, and knuckle.
- Sauce the dish with the Americaine sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 mins
Thanks for a great recipe Chef!!
I cannot agree more on the lobster philosophy. Lobster and butter is one of my all time favorite combinations. :)
Yeah – lobster baby!!
Such a great recipe Chef! thank you for sharing this.
Makes me want to lick my screen… what a gorgeous dish and recipe! Thanks for sharing