Lobster Thermidor

Name: Lobster Thermidor
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 3 tbsp unsalted butter; 2 shallots, finely sliced; 1 small bunch tarragon, plus 6 extra sprigs; 300 ml fresh fish stock; 1 tbsp plain flour; 150 ml whole milk; 3 tbsp double cream; 2 egg yolks; ½ whole nutmeg, freshly grated; 2 tbsp English mustard; 2 frozen Canadian cooked lobsters, defrosted; 4 tbsp cognac (or other brandy); 2 handful coarsely grated gruyère cheese (about 50g)

There's no denying its extravagance, nor the pleasure and pride you get from preparing and eating it at home.

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Serves2
CourseMain meal
Prepare50 mins
Cook30 mins
Total time1 hr 20 mins
Pluscooling and chilling

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3 tbsp unsalted butter
2 shallots, finely sliced
1 small bunch tarragon, plus 6 extra sprigs
300ml fresh fish stock
1 tbsp plain flour
150ml whole milk
3 tbsp double cream
2 egg yolks
½ whole nutmeg, freshly grated
2 tbsp English mustard
2 frozen Canadian cooked lobsters, defrosted
4 tbsp cognac (or other brandy)
2 handful coarsely grated gruyère cheese (about 50g)

Heat 1 tbsp butter in a saucepan. Once foaming, add the shallots and bunch of tarragon; fry over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes, until starting to soften. Pour in the stock and boil for 10-12 minutes, until reduced to 2-3 tbsp.
Meanwhile, make the white sauce. Heat 1 tbsp butter in another pan set over a medium heat and, once foaming, stir in the flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until lightly golden. Take off the heat and gradually add the milk, stirring after each addition until smooth. Return to a low-medium heat, stirring, for 5-7 minutes, until you have a thick sauce.
Strain the reduced fish stock into the sauce, add the cream and season. Cook for 3-4 minutes more, stirring until thickened again. Transfer to a bowl, cool for a few minutes, then stir in the egg yolks, nutmeg and mustard. Cover the surface with cling film and set aside.
Prepare the lobsters and chop the claw and tail meat. Heat the final 1 tbsp butter in a frying pan set over a high heat. Once foaming, stir in the lobster meat, any juices and the roe and green tomalley, if using. Fry for a few minutes, then splash in the brandy and boil or flambé until the alcohol has evaporated. Set aside to cool for a few minutes. Pick and chop the leaves from the 6 tarragon sprigs, then stir into the white sauce with the lobster.
Divide the mixture between the lobster shells and place on a baking tray (cover with cling film and chill if making ahead, up to 24 hours in advance). To serve, preheat the grill to high and scatter the cheese over the prepared lobsters. Grill for 4-5 minutes, until piping hot and golden.