Monday 23 February 2009

lobster

I have to cook a lobster dinner on Wednesday. It's something I've never done. Any tips or advice? I'm thinking of getting three pounds for three people and boiling.

Wednesday 11 February 2009

Butternut Squash Soup

One quart of stock
Two smaller butternut squash - about 1 1/2 lbs. (cubed) [I recommend two smaller ones rather than one large one cuz their flavor is better when smaller]
One carrot (diced)
One celery stalk (diced)
One medium onion or leeks (diced)
2 Tbsp. Butter or olive oil
One bouquet garni (same as the potato-leek one)
1/2 c. cream or creme fraiche (optional)

1. Add the fat (butter or oil) to the soup pot. Add the diced veggies and sautee until they have softened (about 5 minutes).
2. Add the squash, stock and bouquet. Bring to a boil and let it roll for about 30 minutes or until the squash is soft enough to slide a fork in without resistance.
3. Again, you can either eat this as is or you can puree it. If pureed, return to the pot and add the cream if you desire. Serve as soon as possible.

Potato Leek Soup

A quart of stock
A pound of russet potatoes
A pound of leeks (one large or two smaller ones)
2 Tablespoons butter or olive oil
A bouquet garni [I use a coffee filter tied off with some twine]
Salt & Pepper
1/2 c. white wine (optional)
Cream or creme fraiche (optional)

For the bouquet:
2-4 Bay leaves
4 sprigs of thyme
some peppercorns

1. Melt the butter/add oil in the soup pot. Add cut up leeks - about 1" wide sliced in half so its not a bunch of leek tubes, rather inch-wide strips. Sautee the leeks until wilted - about 5 minutes. If you are using the wine, add it and bring to a boil until the alcohol is cooked off.
2. Add the stock and bouquet and cut-up potatoes and salt/pepper. Bring to a boil.
3. When the potatoes are cooked all the way through (about 20 minutes), drop the heat. Remove the bouquet.
4. Here is where you can either eat it here if you want a "rustic" soup experience, or, if you have access to a blender, pour in the potatoes and leeks and some broth and puree the whole mess (probably in stages and dont forget to hold down the lid!).
5. Return the puree to the pot and add the cream if you want it a rich soup. Otherwise you are good to go.