Description
This Lobster Thermidor recipe features tender lobster meat in a rich, creamy mustard sauce with Parmesan and Gruyère, baked to golden perfection inside the shell. A gourmet French classic perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Lobster:
- 2 whole lobsters (1 ½ to 2 pounds each)
- Water and salt (for boiling or steaming)
Thermidor Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small shallot, finely minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- ¼ cup brandy or cognac
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 large egg yolks
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ cup Gruyère cheese, grated
Final Topping:
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs (optional)
- 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
-
Cook the Lobster:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Submerge the lobsters and cook for 8-10 minutes until bright red.
- Transfer to an ice bath, then remove meat from the claws, tail, and knuckles. Reserve shells for stuffing.
-
Prepare the Thermidor Sauce:
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Sauté shallots and garlic until soft.
- Add white wine and brandy, then simmer until reduced by half.
- Stir in heavy cream, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks. Gradually add a spoonful of the warm sauce to temper, then mix back into the pan.
- Cook until thickened, then stir in chopped lobster meat.
-
Assemble the Lobster:
- Preheat the broiler to high.
- Fill the reserved shells with the lobster Thermidor mixture.
- Sprinkle Parmesan and Gruyère cheese on top. Add breadcrumbs for crispiness (optional).
-
Broil to Perfection:
- Place the stuffed lobsters on a baking sheet.
- Broil for 3-5 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Pro Tip: Steaming instead of boiling the lobster enhances its natural sweetness.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: Warm in a 325°F (160°C) oven for 10 minutes; avoid the microwave to prevent rubbery lobster.
- Common Mistakes to Avoid: Overcooking the lobster, curdling the sauce by adding egg yolks too quickly, and using too much cheese, which can overpower the delicate seafood flavor.
- Note: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and cooking methods.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed lobster half
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 250mg
Keywords: lobster thermidor, classic lobster recipe, French lobster dish, creamy lobster, seafood dinner, gourmet lobster recipe