Sunday, November 4, 2012

In The Kitchen: Lobster Poutine

Loblaws had a $1.99/lb-of-lobster-tail sale. Bought 5 tails and made lobster poutine - MUCH easier than you would think!



Ingredients:

Fries:
~ 5 Russet Potatoes are best, but I used ~12 red potatoes!
- Salt and Pepper
- Smoked Paprika (SECRET INGREDIENT.. shh =)
- Parmesan Cheese
- Olive Oil

Gravy
- Mushroom Gravy
- 5 Lobster Tails
- Clam Juice

and don't forget the cheese curds!



1) Start by cutting your potatoes into strips. I like leaving the peel on mine, but it makes no difference whether  you do or not. I find when you leave the peel on, it gives the potato a crispier coat


2) Soak the potatoes in water for ~30 minutes. This rids them of a starch that makes it harder for a oil/spices/etc to stick on the potato.



3) After the 30 minutes is up let them dry for 5-10 minutes. In the mean time, spread 3 tablespoons of olive oil on a baking pan and sprinkle the parmesan cheese and pepper (only if you want pepper). Lay your fries on the oil. Try your best to keep it in a single layer (keyword.. try). Add a dash of paprika on top


4) In the oven they go! Toast them for about 10 minutes then take them out. THIS IS THE KEY PART. Take them out and toss them around. Mix it real good. Put them back in the oven for 5 minutes, then take it out and toss again. The point is to toss them continuously so they bake into a crispy layer every time you toss and bake. The more tosses you do, the crispier they get. I did this process one more time before taking them out for good.

5) Set them to cool down a little or better yet -- head straight to assembling it (see below!)

GRAVY
This is good to start while you are waiting for your potatoes to soak in the water (See Step 2 above!)


1) Start by cutting the lobster tails. I find its easiest to cut straight down the center of the tail, on both sides. Pull the shell apart in opposite directions and you can easily pull the raw meat from the center.




2) Put the raw lobster meat into a small saucepan and add gravy


3) Simmer slowly until lobster is cooked. The tactic is to slowly cook it so some flavours get coaxed out. Add a splash of clam juice to enhance a seafood flavour.

ASSEMBLY!

1) Fries
2) Cheese curds
3) Gravy
4) Enjoy!


BTW: This portion was good for a hungry family of 5! Adjust accordingly =)