LOBSTER WITH BASIL-LEMON BUTTER

Steps:

• Add enough water to a large pot to fill it a third of the way-enough to steam, but not fully submerge the lobster-and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, make the compound butter by placing butter, herbs, shallot, salt, a few grinds of pepper, and zest in bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth, adding water 1 spoonful at a time if necessary to loosen and blend properly. Add lemon juice and process again to combine. Transfer seasoned butter to small container, cover, and hold at room temperature. (Note: Butter can be made in advance, refrigerated, and brought back to room temperature for serving.)
• When water has boiled, add sea salt, approximately one handful for each quart of water. Add whole lobster and steam for 5 minutes.
• Remove lobster from pot using a large slotted spoon or tongs. When cool enough to handle, break down the lobster in this order, placing each piece of meat gently on a plate: First, remove the claws. Then separate the tail from the head. Break the thick leg attached to the claw into two pieces at the joint, using the kitchen counter as leverage. Break the claw into two pieces, loosening at the joint. Split claw open with back of a chef's knife, and twisting at 90 degree angles. When the claw has cracked open, pull out the claw meat whole. Repeat with other claws.
• Lay each tail on its side and press down to crack; do not smash. Use thumbs to pull shell away, and gently pull the tail out whole. Trim away any ragged, small pieces of meat (and reserve for another use). Break down the elbows by gently cracking the shell with the back of a chef's knife in several places and peeling it away. Gently scrape the albumen from the meat.
• To finish, use the back of a spoon to smear some compound butter on the side of the plate. Slice lobster tail in half lengthwise, and arrange with other lobster pieces on the plate. Garnish meat with an additional dollop of butter, sea salt, a drizzle of olive oil, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

ANGRY LOBSTER WITH LEMON RICE AND CRISPY BASIL

Steps:

• Lobster:
• Combine the Wondra flour, chili powder, cayenne, and salt in a plastic bag. Set aside.
• Cut the live lobsters in half. Remove the claws and break the claws open to expose as much meat as possible. Remove the meat from the lobsters and place it into the seasoned flour. Shake to coat well. Remove the lobster from the flour and shake off any excess.
• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees.
• Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over high heat until smoking. Add the lobster pieces, cut side down, a few at a time, if necessary, and sear them for about 4 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Transfer the lobster to a baking sheet, and when all of the lobster is seared, place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes.
• While the lobster is baking, prepare the sauce. Return the sauté pan to medium heat and add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 3 minutes, or until the garlic is golden brown but not burning. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Whisk in the butter and remove the pan from the heat. Whisk in the lemon juice, basil leaves, and the tomato julienne. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Remove the lobster from the oven. Place a mound of Lemon Rice in the center of each of six plates. Place equal portions of the lobster over the rice. Spoon the sauce over the top of each mound and garnish with Fried Basil.
• Serve immediately.
• Lemon Rice:
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and allow them to sweat their liquid for 4 minutes. Add the garlic and sweat for an additional 3 minutes. Stir in the rice and sauté it for 1 minute. Add the stock (or water), lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Raise the heat and bring the stock to a boil. Boil for about 15 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced to about 1 1/2 cups. Lower the heat and tightly cover the rice. (If you don't have a tight-fitting lid, cover the rice with aluminum foil.) Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed all of the liquid. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the rice to steam for 15 minutes. Do not uncover the pan. When ready to serve, fluff the rice with a fork.
• If using the zucchini, while the rice is resting heat the optional 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini and sauté for 4 minutes, or just until slightly softened. Season with salt and pepper to taste. When ready to serve the rice, add the zucchini and fluff it into the rice.
• Fried Basil:
• Heat the oil to 350 degrees on a candy thermometer in a large saucepan over high heat.
• Standing as far back from the pot as possible and wearing an oven mitt, drop the basil leaves into the hot oil. The oil may bubble and splatter. Fry for about 1 minute, or until the leaves are crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the leaves to a double layer of paper towels to drain.

GARLIC-BLACK PEPPER LOBSTER WITH LEMON GRASS FRIED RICE

Steps:

• In a large, hot saute pan coated well with oil, saute the lobster. Add the garlic, scallions, and black pepper. Deglaze with wine and add chicken stock and fish sauce. Add butter and check for seasoning.
• Lemon grass fried rice: In a saucepan on high heat coated with oil, sweat the onions, garlic, ginger and lemon grass. Season. Add the rice and saute the rice for 3 to 5 minutes until hot. Add lemon juice and check for seasoning.
• PLATING On a large dinner plate, mold a mound of rice in the middle and top with lobster. Garnish with sliced scallions.
• WINE: Fruity Alsatian Riesling, not bone dry like Trimbach, Hugel. We used Gunderloch, Riesling

LOBSTER PASTA WITH YELLOW TOMATOES AND BASIL

Steps:

• If using whole lobsters, cook them in abundant boiling water for 6 minutes. Cool, remove meat from tail, claws and knuckles, and chop into 1/2-inch chunks.
• Bring a pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook pasta.
• Meanwhile, pour olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots and cook for 1 minute, without browning. Add garlic and red pepper and cook for 1 minute. Add tomatoes and season generously with salt and pepper. Add lobster meat, stir to coat, cook 1 minute, then turn off heat until pasta is ready.
• When pasta is al dente, drain, add to skillet, and season with salt and pepper. Toss well and transfer to a warmed wide bowl or platter. Add basil, toss once more and serve immediately.