Recipe: Lobster Stuffed with Mashed Potatoes

LOBSTER STUFFED WITH MASHED POTATOES

2 live 1 1/2 pound lobsters
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
6 ounces melted butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup water
2 lemon wedges
2 wooden skewers soaked in cold water
Mashed Potatoes (recipe follows)

Wash live lobsters under cold water, leaving rubber bands on claws. To kill a lobster sever its spinal cord (this is the least painful method). Deaden its sense of pain by thrusting the tip of the knife between the lobster's eyes and continue moving downward into the natural breach where the head and front abdominal shells meet. Turn lobster around and split downthe tail, but do not cut in half. Discard stomach. Remove rubber bands from claws. Place lobsters on baking dish or baking pan. Insert wooden skewers through the length of tails. Season with salt, pepper and 2 ounces of butter.

Using a pastry bag with a star tip, pipe mashed potatoes (see Mashed Potato recipe) into front cavity.

Bake in 375 degree oven for about 15 minutes.

Serve lobster with melted butter and lemon wedges.

MASHED POTATOES

2 medium potatoes
4 ounces butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon scallions
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 quarts water

Dice potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Place 1 1/2 quarts of water in medium-size pot over high heat. When the water boils, add the potatoes. Cover and cook until fork-tender. When potatoes are cooked, drain well using a colander.

While the potatoes are draining in colander, melt butter in small pot. Add heavy ceam to butter. Bring butter and cream to a boil. Remove from stove.

Place drained potatoes in a mixing bowl. Set electric mixer to medium speed and proceed wihpping potatoes. With machine running, slowly add heavy cream and butter. Whip potatoes until smooth (approximately 4 to 5 minutes). Stop machine and remove bowl. Fold in sour cream and scallions. Add salt and pepper.

Place a star tip on pastry bag. Place potatoes in pastry bag. Pipe mashed potatoes into front cavity of lobster (see Lobster Recipe).

Bake in 375 degree oven for 15 minutes.

Yield: 2 servings

Source: Richard Jones, Television Food Network