Lobster Themidor: White House
Secrets from the White House Kitchens Cookbook
By Chef John R. Hanny
3 2-pound lobsters
3/4 cup butter
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
salt
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup prepared mustard
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
freshly ground black pepper
Split the lobsters. Brush with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil under medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove from broiler and dot with 6 tablespoons of butter. Bake in hot oven (400 degrees F) for 10 minutes. Remove lobster meat from shells and slice it. Save coral. Brush inside of each shell lightly with mustard. Meanwhile, simmer cream over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter, stir in flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add milk slowly, cook until sauce thickens, stirring constantly. Mix in cream and lobster coral. Return lobster meat to shells and cover with sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and dot with remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Bake in hot oven (400 degrees F) for 10 minutes.
Serves 6.
Author's note: Decadent! To say the least, guests love it, not just for the taste but for its scarcity.
Secrets from the White House Kitchens Cookbook
By Chef John R. Hanny
3 2-pound lobsters
3/4 cup butter
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
salt
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup prepared mustard
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
freshly ground black pepper
Split the lobsters. Brush with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil under medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove from broiler and dot with 6 tablespoons of butter. Bake in hot oven (400 degrees F) for 10 minutes. Remove lobster meat from shells and slice it. Save coral. Brush inside of each shell lightly with mustard. Meanwhile, simmer cream over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter, stir in flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add milk slowly, cook until sauce thickens, stirring constantly. Mix in cream and lobster coral. Return lobster meat to shells and cover with sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and dot with remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Bake in hot oven (400 degrees F) for 10 minutes.
Serves 6.
Author's note: Decadent! To say the least, guests love it, not just for the taste but for its scarcity.
