07/17/2013
This recipe is for my friend Kate who took great care of my little girl in Queens Hospital and any one who loves lobster...
Butter-Poached Lobster Tails with Caviar Mousse
Recipe Type: Seafood, Lobster, Caviar, Lobster Dinner Menu
Yields: serves many
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 7 min
Ingredients:
Butter-Poached Lobster Tails
Caviar Mousse (see recipe below)
Dijon Mustard Sauce (see recipe below)
1 lobster tail, per person, shells removed and tails on
Non-salted butter, cut into small chunks
1 tablespoon water
Preparation:
Prepare Caviar Mousse and Dijon Mustard Sauce ahead of time.
Prepare Beurre Monte (see below).
When you are about an hour from serving the lobster tails, take them out of the refrigerator and bring them to room temperature.
When ready to poach the lobster tails, in a pan large enough to hold the lobster tails and using a cooking thermometer, bring the prepared Beurre Monte up to at least 160° degrees F., but not over 190° degrees F.
Depending on how large and how many lobster tails you are preparing, will determine how long to poach them; it usually takes from 5 to 7 minutes or until an instant-read meat thermometer register an internal temperature of 140 to 145 degrees F. Do not overcook. The lobster should not be rubbery but of a soft consistency - almost as if not completely cooked). The lobster should be white and not very opaque in color. When done, remove them from the Beaurre Monte and serve.
This is the type of cooking and meat thermometer that I prefer and use in my cooking. I get many readers asking what cooking/meat thermometer that I prefer and use in my cooking and baking. I, personally, use the Thermapen Thermometer shown in the photo on the right. Originally designed for professional users, the Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer is used by chefs all over the world. To learn more about this excellent thermometer and to also purchase one (if you desire), just click on the underlined: Thermapen Thermometer.
Beurre Monte:
Definition of Beurre Monte: Butter is an emulsification of 80% milk fat, 18% water, and 2% milk solids. Heating butter above 160 degrees will cause it to "break" or separate into its different composition parts. A Beuree Monte is a techniques of keeping melted butter in an emulsified state between 180 degrees and 190 degrees, which is sufficient to poach meats or vegetables.
Butter, cut into chunks
1 tablespoon water
Using just a little bit of water helps the emulsion process in preparing Beurre Monte. Whether you emulsify 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) or 1 pound of butter, just one (1) tablespoon of water will do.
Determine how much butter you will need for the Beurre Monte by placing the lobster tails in a large enough pan, side by side; add just enough water to cover. Immediately remove the lobster tails, drain them, set aside; and measure the water in the pan. You will need this amount of butter to cover and poach the tails.
In a saucepan, bring the 1 tablespoon of water to a boil over high heat; reduce the heat to low and begin adding the chunks of butter (a little at a time) whisking constantly to emulsify.
Once the emulsion is started, more butter may be whisked in.
Hold the temperature of the Beurre Monte between 160 and 190 degrees F. for poaching. DO NOT BOIL OR THE MIXTURE WILL BREAK! The mixture should have the consistency of a very thick butter sauce.
Beurre Monte can be set aside on the stove after being prepared. You should use the Beurre Monte Butter within an hour after you make it.
The Beurre Monte can be frozen and used anytime on vegetables or seafood.
The prepared Beurre Monte can be frozen and used anytime on vegetables or seafood.
Caviar Mousse:
I adapted these recipes for Caviar Mousse and Dijon Mustard Sauce originally by Guy Martin, Le Grand Vefour, France - Food Network Television, Episode
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 cups lightly whipped cream
1 shallot, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
2 ounces caviar
In a medium-size bowl, gently combine the Dijon mustard and whipped cream until smooth. Add the finely chopped shallots and season with salt and pepper. Gently fold in the caviar without breaking the eggs. May be made 1 hour in advance of being served.
Dijon Mustard Sauce:
4 tablespoons crème fraiche
4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon white wine
Salt and pepper to taste
In a small bowl, combine crème fraiche with Dijon mustard and white wine until it thins out a little. Season with salt and pepper. This sauce may be prepared several days in advance.
To Serve:
Place a cookie ring on individual serving plate. Fill the ring with the Caviar Mousse (carefully remove the ring, lifting upward).
Place prepared lobster tail on the Caviar Mousse.
Drizzle some Dijon Mustard Sauce around the food and sprinkle a few caviar eggs on sauce.
Drizzle a little of the Beurre Monte over the lobster tail. Repeat with remaining portions.
