LOBSTER CLAM BOIL RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to a moderately hot temperature, about 400°F; if using coals, wait until they turn white-hot. 2. If desired, melt the butter in a large stockpot set over the grill or over moderate heat on a stove. Add the onion, crushed garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper, sautéing until softened, 4-5 minutes. 3. Add the Old Bay seasoning and thyme leaves; cook and stir until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the water and bring to a boil over high heat. 4. Once boiling, reduce to a steady simmer and stir in the sausage and potatoes; return to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are just tender to the tip of a knife, 10-15 minutes. 5. Add the corn to the water and return to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes and then remove from the stockpot and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside until needed. 6. Return the seafood boil to a simmer and stir in the crabs and lobster. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. 7. In the meantime, brush the corn with oil and season with a little salt and pepper. Place the corn on the grill and cook, turning a few times, until lightly charred all over, 6-8 minutes. Remove from the grill. 8. When the crab and lobster are ready, stir in the shrimp and clams. Cover and cook until the shrimp are opaque and the clams have opened, 4-5 minutes. 9. Add the parsley, lemon juice, and plenty of salt and pepper to taste to the seafood boil. Serve straight from the pot with grilled corn on the side and seafood boil sauce on the side. (See Tips for a seafood boil sauce.)

Steps:

• Bring large pot of water to boil. Add lobsters head first and boil until cooked through, about 8 minutes. Using tongs, transfer lobsters to large bowl. Reserve 2 cups cooking liquid. Cool lobsters.
• Working over large bowl to catch juices, cut off lobster tails and claws. Crack tail and claw shells and remove lobster meat. Coarsely chop lobster meat; cover and chill. Coarsely chop lobster shells and bodies; transfer to medium bowl. Reserve juices from lobster in large bowl.
• Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over high heat. Add lobster shells and bodies and sauté until shells begin to brown, about 8 minutes. Add onion and next 8 ingredients. Mix in brandy and Sherry. Boil until almost all liquid has evaporated, about 4 minutes. Add fish stock, reserved 2 cups lobster cooking liquid and lobster juices. Simmer 1 hour.
• Strain soup through sieve set over large saucepan, pressing firmly on solids. Whisk tomato paste into soup. Simmer until soup is reduced to 3 cups, about 15 minutes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Add cream to soup and simmer 5 minutes. Dissolve cornstarch in 1 tablespoon water. Add to soup and boil until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Mix lobster meat into soup and stir to heat through. Ladle soup into bowls.