Lobster, American Style

Procure two good sized freshly boiled lobsters and split them, removing all of the meat very carefully, and cut it up into pieces about an inch in length; and have in readiness a pan on top of a range half full of good olive oil, and when the oil has become very hot add pieces of the lobster. Chop very fine one peeled onion, one green pepper, and half a peeled clove, some sound garlic, place it with the lobster and cook for five minutes, stirring all the time; season with a pinch of salt and half a saltspoonful of red pepper, to which add half a wineglassful of white wine. After two minutes' reduction add one gill of tomato sauce and a medium sized peeled tomato, cut into small dice. Continue cooking for ten minutes, gently stirring the while, then pour the whole into a hot dish or tureen and serve.

Baked Lobsters

Place a live lobster in boiling fish broth; when it is cooked, drain and split it in half lengthwise, pick the meat out of the tail and claws, cut it in small pieces, and mix in an equal quantity of mushrooms, also cut in dice. Place the coral of the lobster in a mortar with a little butter, pound, and pass it through a fine hair sieve. Put a few tablespoonfuls of bechamel sauce in a stewpan with a little cream and melted glaze, stir over the fire until it is well reduced, then mix with it the pieces of lobster and mushrooms, sprinkle in a little cayenne, and add the pounded coral. Clean the two shells of the lobster, fill them with the preparation, sprinkle bread crumbs on the top, pour a little warmed butter over each, and brown in the oven. Place a folded napkin on a dish, lay the shells on it, and serve at once.

Boiled Lobster

Place some water on the fire, and when it is boiling fast put the lobster in, head first, so that it may be killed at once. Place the lid on and let the lobster boil for half an hour. Take it out and leave it until well drained, then wipe off the scum and rub it over with a little piece of butter tied in a cloth.

Lobster Bordelaise

Cut some live lobsters into eight pieces, crack the claws without spoiling the shape, put them in a saucepan and cover with white wine, a little garlic, two bay leaves, a small bunch of parsley and thyme, and a little pepper and salt; place the lid on the saucepan and let the mixture boil for twenty-five minutes, stirring often to prevent burning. When they are cooked take each piece of lobster out, dry in a cloth, and replace them in a clean saucepan. Fry a few slices of onions and shallots in butter, and when they are browned stir in a little flour, cook it, then pour in some of the liquor in which the pieces of lobster were cooked. Stir over the fire for ten minutes, then mix in a teacupful of tomato sauce, a pinch of cayenne, the pieces of lobster, and warm them again. Arrange the lobster on a hot dish in such a way that they will not have the appearance of being cut, put the claws around, pour over the sauce and serve.