Lobster with Shallots, Tomatoes, and Cayenne
(Homard à l'Armoricaine)
SERVES 4
This is the most famous Breton seafood dish—every chef in Brittany has his or her own favorite version.
2 3-lb. live lobsters
1⁄4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped
3 medium shallots, peeled and minced
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
2 carrots, peeled, trimmed, and finely diced
2 tomatoes, chopped
2 tbsp. tomato paste
2 cups white wine
3 tbsp. butter, softened
1⁄2 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 tbsp. crème fraîche
1. Cook lobsters in a large pot of boiling water for 10 minutes. When cool, split open, remove meat, and cut into pieces. Reserve tomalley, coral, and shells.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions, shallots, and garlic, and cook for 15 minutes. Add carrots, tomatoes, tomato paste, wine, and 1 cup water. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 8 minutes.
3. Wrap shells in a dish towel and crush with a rolling pin. Add to sauce and reduce by half over low heat. Strain through a fine sieve, and return to heat. Make a paste with tomalley, coral, and butter, and stir into sauce. Add lobster, season with cayenne pepper, and cook 2 minutes. Stir in crème fraîche. Serve over rice, garnished with parsley.
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