Jacques Pepin’s Lobster and Artichokes


IMG_23792 lobsters, a big pot with a lid and 2 quarts of water
4 medium-to-large artichokes (about 8 ounces each), trimmed to artichoke hearts (see method below)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons minced fresh chives

Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Bring the 8 cups water to a boil in a large pot. Add the lobsters and bring the water back to a boil, then cover, reduce the heat, and simmer the lobsters gently for 5 minutes. Leave them in the cooling liquid for 10 minutes off the heat, then lift them from the liquid and set them aside until cool enough to handle; set the pot aside.

Crack the shells and remove the meat and any red coral, from the shells. Reserve the shells. Cut the meat of each tail lengthwise in half, and remove and discard any remaining intestinal tract. Set the coral aside.

Put the shells back in the pot with the cooking liquid, bring to a boil, and boil, covered, for 30 minutes. Strain the stock. (You will have about 7 cups.) Set 1 cup of stock aside in a small saucepan for the sauce and freeze the remainder for use in a bisque or

Put the artichoke hearts in a saucepan, add 1 cup water, the oil, lemon juice, and salt and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat, and boil the artichokes gently for about 20 minutes, until they are tender and most of the cooking liquid has evaporated. Let cool.

When the artichokes are cool enough to handle, remove and discard the chokes.
At serving time, reheat the artichoke hearts for about 1 minute in a microwave oven, or for 10 minutes in a 200-degree oven; set aside in a warm spot. Put the red coral roe if you have it, in a ovenproof dish and heat it for 5 minutes in the oven to dry it. Coarsely chop the coral.

Just before serving, reheat the lobster meat for 20 to 30 seconds in the microwave oven or for 8 to 10 minutes in a 200-degree oven.
Meanwhile, bring the cup of reserved stock to a boil and boil until it is reduced to 1/2 cup. Add the butter, chives, and salt and pepper to taste and bring to a strong boil.
Place an artichoke heart on each of four plates and arrange the meat of half a lobster tail in the cavity of each, with a piece of claw meat alongside. Spoon the sauce on top, sprinkle with the roe, and
http://blogs.kqed.org/essentialpepin/2011/09/10/lobster-in-artichoke-hearts/