Dennis Prescott

Lobster Bisque

Serves 4 – 6

4 x 1 1/2 pound live lobsters
3/4 cup butter, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 medium onions, diced
2 large carrots, diced
4 celery stalks, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup brandy
1/2 cup dry white wine
6 cups lobster stock (or chicken stock, in a pinch)
3 sprigs parsley
3 sprigs tarragon
2 bay leaves
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup minced chives
1/4 cup creme fraiche
Sea salt and cracked black pepper
Crispy croutons, for serving

Heat your Traeger Grill to 450 degrees F. Cut the lobsters in half, clean out the tomalley (and green bits), then drizzle the flesh with olive oil and season with sea salt. Place on the grill, flesh side down, and cook for 10 minutes. Remove the flesh from every nook and cranny, then break down the lobster shells into small pieces.

Heat a deep pan, then add the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter and melt together. When melted, add the lobster shells and cook for 8 minutes, turning every now and then. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, season with salt, and cook until softened, about 8 – 10 minutes. Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add the brandy and reduce until almost entirely evaporated, then add the white wine and reduce by half. Add the stock, herbs, a pinch of salt, bring to a simmer and cook for 1 hour. Strain, pressing as much liquid out of the lobsters as possible, and reserve 2 cups of the veggies. Place stock, and veggies in a blender, and blend until smooth. Add cream and 2 tablespoons of butter and heat over low heat until smooth.

Lastly, heat a skillet over medium-heat and add the remaining butter and lobster meat and heat through. Plate up, stir in some of the lobster meat, then top with croutons, more lobster meat, a dollop of creme fraiche, chives, and cracked black pepper. Delicious!