By Yanni www.fishermansbelly.com (serves 4-6)
2-ea 2 pound lobsters, whole
1 can crushed tomatoes, 28 ounces
2 whole fresh tomatoes, hand grated
3-5 cloves of garlic, finely diced
1 whole onion, medium dice
2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
Pinch of oregano
Kosher salt/coarse black pepper
1 tablespoon of sugar, optional
¼ pound of feta cheese, crumbled
1 cup of fresh basil
Start Making The Greek Stuffed Lobster
1. When you’re ready, start by parboiling your lobsters whole, in salted water. What’s salted water? Use enough salt so the water tastes like the sea! Boil both lobsters at 5.5 minutes per 2 pounds of lobster. When done, refrigerate the lobsters until needed.
2. Next, start creating the tomato sauce while first sautéing the onions in olive oil. After 5 minutes add the garlic and lower the heat slightly to ensure the garlic doesn’t burn. Saute the onions and garlic until completely translucent then set aside.
3. Now, in a separate pot, add the canned and fresh grated tomatoes, plus a ½ cup of fresh basil. Add a pinch of oregano, salt and pepper. Taste the sauce. If more sweetness is required, then add a tablespoon of sugar. Cook over a medium high heat. Remember to constantly stir by the tomato mixture to prevent the sauce from burning at the bottom of the pan. Finally, cook the tomato mixture until it’s reduced by half. Now, add the sautéd onions and garlic to the tomato mixture while lowering the heat to a simmer. Continue to simmer for another 15 minutes.
Prep The Lobsters
4. In the mean while, use a large chef’s knife and cut the cooled lobsters in half. Remove the tail meat and discard the remaining entrails while leaving the lobster shell intact. Now, chop the tail meat into large chunks. Tip: To throughly clean the inside of the lobster shells, sprinkle coarse Kosher salt inside the shells and wipe clean with a paper towel.
5. Preheat the oven at 450F for 15 minutes or so, then lower to 375F just before placing lobsters inside oven.
6. When the tomato sauce is cooked, allow it to cool for a few minutes. Then add the chopped lobster and mix. Spoon out the mixture into the entire halved lobster shells. In the end, add sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top of stuffed lobster halves. Now place the stuffed lobster halves onto an oven pan and bake at 375F for 10 minutes.
7. Serve the lobster halves on a platter, and finally garnish with fresh hand-cut basil. Enjoy!
