Recipe(tried): Lazy Man's Lobster, Jasmine Rice Pilaf

One of our local stores had a nice sale on lobster this week. Additionally, they will steam it for you for free so I decided that it was time to make June's (FL/Cape Cod) recipe for Lazy Man's Lobster. It was absolutely fantastic:-)!! I served it with the Jasmine Rice Pilaf recipe that I got when we went to Anguilla (A recipe that I previously posted, and one DH and I especially like, which has a really nice flavor), and steamed zuchinni.

LAZY MAN'S LOBSTER

Cooked Lobster (chunks of various sizes, but no bigger than would be comfortable bite sizes)
Butter
Heavy cream (I warm it a bit in the microwave first)
Vermouth
Salt and Pepper to taste
Squeeze or two of lemon juice
Ritz Crackers, crushed (about a rack)
More butter!

I use a shallow baking dish, such as a Corning Ware baking dish. I butter the bottom and sides well.

Place the lobster chunks on the bottom, then I pour a very small amount of heavy cream over them. It should not be a lot, just a 1/4 inch or so on the bottom. Then a splash of vermouth and lemon juice. Salt and pepper the lobster.

In a medium frying pan, melt a stick of real butter and then brown the crushed Ritz crackers in it (be careful not to scorch them)

Sprinkle the buttered crumbs over the entire surface of the lobster, it should be covered, but not a really deep layer.

Preheat your oven to about 425, then bake for about 15-20 minutes, just until the cream is bubbling really well. Remove from oven and let sit for about 5 minutes for the cream to thicken a bit more.

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JASMINE PILAF

1 cup Jasmine rice
2 cups chicken stock
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup onion, small dice
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbsp. butter, diced

On medium heat, in a medium pot, add olive oil, onions and garlic. Sweat until translucent.

Add rice and herbs, then toast for 1 minute. Add stock, and bring to a simmer.

Cover with lid and put in a 350 degree F oven for 17 or 18 minutes.

When rice is ready, fluff with a fork and add butter.