Thursday, September 9, 2010

Tarragon Lobster Salad


It was a busy holiday weekend here!  Not only did I host a dinner party for my youngest daughter's birthday (she was actually born on LABOR Day!), but we also had one of our gourmet group events. 


The host and hostess of last weekend's gourmet dinner put on a lobster boil for one of their gourmet dinners years ago and none of the couples have allowed them to change menus for OBVIOUS reasons!  They've been doing this dinner for so many years that they even have purchased their own equipment, that they used to rent - a huge pot with a liner on it's own stand.


The first course is always clams, mussels and shrimp - Lots of them!


Then the lobster are cooked and served along with a huge platter of farmers' market fresh corn on the cob and heirloom tomato caprese salad. Did you know that the months ending in 'ber are the best months to enjoy shellfish? Our friends always schedule their lobster boil in September so that the weather here in Wisconsin is still warm enough to dine outdoors because this is a messy meal!


After indulging to too many clams, mussels and shrimp, I was only able to finish my lobster claws so this little gem came home with me that night. 


What to do with a beautiful lobster tail? Make Lobster Salad!


I found this wonderful recipe at Epicurious and it is excellent! I made a couple of small changes to the recipe and was delighted with the result. The original recipe called for four whole lobsters and I only had one small lobster tail so I adapted it along with a couple of other minor tweaks to suit my taste.

If you have the opportunity to find some fresh lobster meat, this is a delicious salad.  The price of lobster is quite reasonable right now and I've seen whole, 1 to 1-1/4 pound lobsters for $10.00 to $13.00.



Tarragon Lobster Salad
Adapted from Gourmet, July 2001
Printable Recipe

Serves 1 (which was Moi - so adjust ingredients accordingly)

Your can either cook your own lobster if you are brave enough or have your seafood purveyor steam it for you.

3/4 cup cooked lobster meat, cut into large dice
1 teaspoon finely chopped shallot
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup mayonnaise (I use Hellmans' Light)
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh tarragon
Salt and Pepper to taste

Combine shallot, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt in a bowl and let stand at room temperature for 15-20 minutes while you are preparing the rest of the ingredients.

Whisk mayonnaise, tarragon, and black pepper to taste into the shallot mixture. Add lobster meat and celery and toss gently to coat.

Serve on a bed of lettuce with fresh avocado and tomato or, you can also put this on a fresh, toasted bun to make a tasty lobster roll.

47 comments:

  1. This mouth watering post is making me want to run out for a Lobster meal. Not going to DIY.
    Great idea with the Fair theme. Cute decor.

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  2. Ummm..I like lobster about once a year..and, like DOGSMOM, I'll go out for it...;)
    Your photos are wonderful..

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  3. Oh I so want to come to dinner. Love your pigs. Your chef is wonderful. What a fun post. Hugs, Marty

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  4. What a fun gourmet group that you belong to!! Wish I had a group like yours. The "leftover" lobster salad looks so yummy!!

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  6. Absolutely GORGEOUS photos, Susan.

    Gosh, your images actually make me want to love lobster! That first shot is killer. Nicely done!

    Thank you for sharing. xo

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  7. What a fun meal! I've never been to a lobster boil before but it sounds like so much fun!

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  8. Ok, now I want some lobster. Thanks Susan! :) This all looks wonderful. Angie

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  9. Oh my stars!!!!This is a delicious sounding recipe. Susan, you come up with the best dishes! I am a huge fan of lobster and that salad is soooooo company worthy.
    You images make it all the more appetizing! That pretty red tail on the black and white plate... food poetry!
    Yvonne

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  10. Oh my stars!!!!This is a delicious sounding recipe. Susan, you come up with the best dishes! I am a huge fan of lobster and that salad is soooooo company worthy.
    You images make it all the more appetizing! That pretty red tail on the black and white plate... food poetry!
    Yvonne

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  11. Oh Yum!!! and the pig chef is so cute also...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  12. Beautiful photographs. I love lobster! The salad looks delicious.

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  13. Looks delicious...can you believe that I have to be in the mood for lobster, otherwise I turn it down...I would much rather have a fried whole bellied clam, any day!
    Cute cochons...

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  14. I've always enjoyed lobster and tarragon together. It just adore the touch of herby licorice flavor that stands up to the sweet ocean flavored lobster meat. This looks like it would also make for a great sandwich filling.

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  15. Lobster and piggies! Can't get any better than that! Yum, do I love lobster.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  16. Susan, your gourmet group events sound like so much fun and this lobster salad looks beautiful!
    Please consider joining the Barnyard Bash with the ever so dapper Chef Pierre Cochon and cute centerpieces!

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  17. Now that's the dinner I would love! Just the tail for me!
    Yes, I knew that about the months ending in R, but I thought it only applied here locally.
    Love your chef!

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  18. Lobster salad on a buttered roll is one of the best things in the world.. your dinner club sounds wonderful. I used to belong to something like it...but everyone split up or moved away. Too bad, you remind me how much fun it was!!!

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  19. The food looks yummy. That pig is too cute.

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  20. Yum, I love lobster! That little piggy chef is too cute! ~ Sarah

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  21. I love love love that lobster tail photo! Lobster in my area (in New England) is about $3.99-$.99/lb. right now! It's amazing and I'm going to my parents' house for some lobster rolls this weekend :)

    Happy birthday to your daughter!

    Sues

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  22. Oh My - So Good ! Just a little light on the tarragon - please. I do like the taste, but not a lot.
    Enjoy your weekend.

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  23. I absolutely, totally love lobster. Yours looks amazing!

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  24. It would be lobster for moi! Joe is not a fan. Love the tail on the MKC plate ;-)

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  25. Now I don't normally like shellfish but your beautiful photos might just convince me to try!!! I just found your lovely blog and I am just about to check out your Gazpacho Filled Avocadoes recipe! :)

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  26. I love this tradition and your photographs are simply stunning!

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  27. Susan,
    If you added wild blueberry cake to your dinner, you would have an authentic Maine lobster bake almost! Real Mainers would either dig a pit and line it with seaweed or use a garbage pail (just for this purpose) filled with seaweed and salt water.

    The salad sounds wonderful. How nice to have such a wonderful gourmet group.

    Carol

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  28. Your salad looks really, really, delicious! Wish I could have some right now!

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  29. Fabulous!! I love using tarragon and this just looks like a perfect meal!
    xoxo Pattie

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  30. I love the tail on the MC plate! What a pic..Of course the salad sounds great and M.Cochon et al are so fun..

    What a feast Susan..Happy Bday to the labor day Girl~

    That's something!

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  31. I am sure you had a great time. Happy Birthday to your daughter. This lobster salad looks very appetizing.

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  32. I love lobster salad and yours sounds lovely! Thank you for sharing it, and I enjoyed the photos too.

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  33. I'd love to be in your gourmet group! And your "leftover" recipe is making me weak in the knees. Alas, there is no leftover lobster on hand but I'm going to remedy that.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  34. I adore lobster in all forms! A seafood cookout is the very best meal to enjoy at the end of summer.

    I hope your daughter had avery happy birthday!

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  35. Tantissimi auguri di buon compleanno a tua figlia!!

    il post è meraviglioso! adoro l'aragosta e tutti i crostacei!!deve essere buonissima preparata così!!

    grazie che passi sempre!baci e buon w.e.!!

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  36. Oh boy does this look good! What time is dinner? :)

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  37. Wow that looks so good. How nice your friends treat you to lobster every year! I'm not sure I could have waited to eat that tail. Love the pics from your fair themed dinner! Great flashback :-) Thanks for playing along this week.

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  38. Mmmmm. Now if only I could eat shellfish. I am soooo allergic. I do remember how good it is though. It looks awesome and your photos are so good. Love the pig chef and the barnyard table setting. Now that is a barnyard bash.
    Smile.
    Hugs, Jeanne

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  39. Tarragon is one of my favorite herbs, this salad sounds just wonderful.

    Sunday's dinner was a complete success, thanks to you! That sauce is out of this world delicious.

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  40. Lobster boils are so much fun! I sit there with butter running down my chin. :)

    Your lobster salad is the perfect answer to a little bit left over! Tarragon would be a lovely flavor in it too.
    Once I made a small (for two) lobster mac and cheese with some I had left.

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  41. Oh, what great pics! What a great lobster salad! Hope your daughter had a wonderful birthday party! Happy belated birthday to her!

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  42. Thank you for all the great comments! I'm ready to go out and buy some lobster to make more of that delicious salad!

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  43. Hi there,

    I'm new here and I hope you will make more of this salad. It looks so delish and what a delightful party. I'm sure all of your guests had a wonderful time, especially the lucky birthday girl you are still laboring over!

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  44. What a grand salad! Lobster is a shellfish I rarely eat, and wish I could have more often at my table!

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  45. Wow, what a feast! Now I want some lobster!

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  46. Yum...I'm like James Beard in that I think I could eat anything if it had enough tarragon on it! Especially crab or lobster...this sounds delicious, thank you!

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  47. Delicious and such delightful flavors :)

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