3752. LOBSTER TAIL with BACON-WRAPPED ASPARAGUS

makes two servings

6 bacon slices

6 asparagus spears, bottom 2"- 2 1/2" cut off

3 tbsp. butter, divided

2 tsp. minced shallot

1/2 tsp. minced garlic
2 tsp. flour

1/8 scant tsp. salt

1/3 cup chicken broth

1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

water for steaming lobster

salt for salting water

2 (16-20 oz.) colossal lobster tails with shell on, defrosted if frozen

Note: If you are using smaller (around 8 oz.) tails, use four and increase bacon and asparagus to 8 each. Each tail will be served with two bacon-wrapped asparagus spears.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Place bacon on a baking sheet and cook for 7 to 8 minutes to par-cook. Remove and discard fat and juices. Cool slightly. Wrap1 bacon around each asparagus starting at the bottom of the spear head. Prep a baking sheet with cooking spray and bake for 18-20 minutes or until bacon is brown and cooked through.

While asparagus spears bake, make the butter sauce. Preheat a small saucepan on medium to medium low. Add 1 tablespoon butter and melt. Add shallot and garlic cooking about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Stir in flour, whisking for 1 minute. Increase heat to medium to medium high and add chicken broth, lemon juice, and salt. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium, stirring constantly until thicken slightly. Turn off heat and remove pan. Cut the remaining butter into 4 chunks. Add one at a time, stirring to melt butter before adding the next chunk. The pan may be placed back on the stovetop with heat off if the butter melts too slowly. Keep warm when done.

Bring about 2 inches of water to a boil in a large stock pot. Add about 2 tablespoon of salt for every 1 quart of water used. Place a metal steaming rack into pot, making sure the top of the rack is above water level. Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, cut the top of the shell, starting at the front of the shell an cutting towards the back, stopping before the tail. Evenly space two 2 long wooden skewers through the lobster meat, from the front towards the back to prevent lobster tails from curling as they cook. Make sure water is fully boiling, and place tails on rack. Cover and steam for 10-12 minutes. For smaller tails reduce cooking time and cook roughly 1 minute per ounce of lobster. Lobster is done when white, not translucent, throughout. Remove from pan.

To serve, separate lobster meat from the shell by spreading shell open with hands without completely splitting it in half. Run fingers or a dull butter knife between the meat and shell to separate it. Lift lobster out of shell. Make a slice down the back to butterfly the tail meat and remove the dark vein. Top with 3 asparagus spears (two for smaller tails) and drizzle with lemon butter sauce. Serve with potatoes—baked or mashed, and/or a salad.

bacon recipe source: Thao, In Good Flavor, January 26, 2015