Lobster and Crab Ravioli

Photo: flickr user Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten

Ingredients

2 live lobsters - (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 lbs)

2 tablespoons olive oil

cups finely-chopped shallots

1 cup chopped fennel bulb

3 lrg garlic cloves chopped

1/4 cup Madeira

4 teaspoons tomato paste

3 cups chicken stock

(or canned low-salt chicken broth)

1 tablespoon butter room temperature

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whipping cream

cup lentils

2 tablespoons butter - (¼ stick)

2 mediums leeks, white and pale green parts only thinly sliced

6 ounces crabmeat

6 lasagne noodles

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

For Sauce: Boil lobsters in pot of boiling water 8 minutes. Transfer to bowl of ice water; cool. Drain. Working over large bowl to collect juices, remove claws and tails. Using knife, cut tails into 2-inch-wide pieces. Remove meat. Crack claws; remove meat. Cut bodies in half. Transfer shells and bodies to bowl with juices. Slice meat; place in small bowl. Chill.

Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add shallots, fennel and garlic; saute 8 minutes. Add Madeira and tomato paste; bring to boil. Add stock, lobster shells and any juices; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer until reduced to 2 1/2 cups, about 30 minutes.

Strain liquid into saucepan, pressing on shells. Mix butter and flour in bowl. Add to liquid. Bring to boil, whisking often. Add cream; simmer until reduced to sauce consistency, about 8 minutes.

For Filling: Cook lentils in medium saucepan of simmering water until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks; saute until tender, about 15 minutes. Add lentils, lobster meat, crabmeat and 1/2 cup lobster sauce.

For Ravioli: Cook pasta in pot of boiling salted water until just tender. Drain. Cut each noodle crosswise into 4 pieces. Divide half of pasta among 6 shallow bowls. Rewarm filling, mix in cilantro and spoon over pasta. Top with remaining pasta. Bring sauce to simmer. Spoon over pasta.

This recipe yields 6 appetizer servings.

Comments: This is made with homemade pasta at the inn. Our easy alternative uses cooked lasagne noodles cut into squares.