Lobster Poutine
Friends, I have eaten extraordinarily well these past few days, and in doing so consumed an enormous quantity of fat calories. In keeping with the festive season, my belly is jiggling like a bowl fulla jelly. As I type this the on-board fuel is burning so furiously I’d be shocked if I didn’t have blue flames shooting out of my eyes and ears.
I have Brava Bistro to thank (which is not to say it was a free lunch) for lobster poutine (pomme frites/lobster/shellfish butter sauce/marscapone cheese) two days in a row (Artemis Christmas party last night, mother-in-law’s birthday lunch today), a deliciously festive Pimms and gin, and this afternoon braised short rib sandwiches on focaccia with some sort of cheesy, mayo-y goodness binding it all together. I so wanted to chase it with warm gingerbread cake floating in Famous Grouse butterscotch sauce & vanilla ice cream, but W was going squirrelly and the parking meter was almost out, so instead we walked down the street and picked up some cupcakes. (Sadly both times I went from someplace else, and so was without a camera. Here, have a peek at my Christmas tree instead.)
If I keep on track with this I should have a sufficient layer of blubber to not need a winter coat for the rest of the season.
I’m hoping to burn all this off with painting and moving over the next week as my sister has officially gained possession of the house across the street! When she got her keys I brought a baking sheet full of World Peace Cookies (made with chopped up almond bark instead of chocolate chips) to put into the oven to make it seem more like home. We spent the evening taping and polyfilla-ing, and busting the boys (W and B; 4 and 6) transporting a BOX OF WATER through the house. A big box. Of water. How do you move water? A folded-bottom cardboard box seems reasonable, doesn’t it?
While I have your attention, I can’t help but leak a sneak peek at the Christmas edition of Free Stuff Friday tomorrow – I’ll give you a hint. It’s a pair of tickets. I’ll give you another hint – it’s sold out. OK, one more – the event rhymes with Banthony Shmourdain.
One Year Ago: Fanny Farmer’s Dark Fruitcake
December 17 2009 10:28 pm | eating out
Lesli Christianson-Kellow on 17 Dec 2009 at 11:45 pm #
um…little bit lost on that…uh…hint…(haha)
supersu on 18 Dec 2009 at 5:54 am #
omg….Banthony Shmourdain….cant wait!
bellini valli on 18 Dec 2009 at 6:35 am #
Poutine is my guilty pleasure so with lobster and mascarpone I think it would be a crime not to try it.
Corine on 18 Dec 2009 at 8:07 am #
I love the sock monkey ornament. So cute, and such a reminder of childhood.
sue.d on 18 Dec 2009 at 8:16 am #
I’m totally certain that anytime I tried and failed to transport water in a box it was because I lacked the proper psychic concentration!
Oh, and I’m dead jealous over the lobster poutine. I’d order that for breakfast this very second if I had the option.
June on 18 Dec 2009 at 8:18 am #
Could you and your sister give each other a big hug from me? I have such great memories of my twin and I sharing first grub in my new abode(s) – I moved a lot and she was always there. I’m so excited for both of you! This is going to be such an incredibly special Christmas for you and the boys. LOL on the box of water.
Mmac on 18 Dec 2009 at 9:21 am #
I had Brava’s lobster poutine last night. It’s always the first course at the monthly GNO (Girls’ Night Out) with two friends I’ve known for more than 20 years. I can attest that it’s calorie-worthy.
Have fun with the painting. Your sister is lucky to have you across the street.
Betty C on 18 Dec 2009 at 9:23 am #
Wow, the power of positive thinking – I’m sure they moved the water quite a distance before things went badly! Your tree is beautiful – I love a collection of decorations that instill memories of Christmas past – I have some from when my parents were children, so they are a special memory of them each year when we decorate.
Elaine on 18 Dec 2009 at 9:27 am #
Lobster poutine?! I read the title of this post and had to back away for a few minutes while my disbelief and jealousy ebbed away. We don’t have a tree this year (although if I had access to ornaments like that nominally terrifying snowman, I might) so in order to get into the holiday spirit I’ve been reading Amy Sedaris’ “I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence” in preparation for my NYE party.
Lobster poutine, though. damn.
Erica B. on 18 Dec 2009 at 9:28 am #
Smourdain? Who? Just kidding! It’s all anyone talked about when the tickets went on sale (kinda like the Stones when I was much younger heh)
mMmMmM Poutine! I think I have to make it to Brava before Jan 1 and the words lobster and poutine get banished from my vocabulary.
Congrats to your Sis on the new home! What a wonderful way to start the new year
Cheryl on 18 Dec 2009 at 2:33 pm #
Whoa, Christmas morning will be different this year!
Heather on 18 Dec 2009 at 2:55 pm #
droooool…..you have a great life Julie – i dream about the food you’ve eaten!
Nice to hear more good people joining the neighborhood!! Good luck with the move!
Carol SB on 18 Dec 2009 at 2:58 pm #
Julie, Cheryl’s so right. Can you imagine, truckin’ on over to her place in your PJs for a coffee first thing… or she trundling across to you… I just love it. (Make sure you’ve got the baileys, then she’ll come to you
Barb on 18 Dec 2009 at 3:00 pm #
As good as lobster poutine sounds; isn’t it kind of a waste of lobster? I mean there are so many other ways to enjoy it. I know, I know. Don’t knock it until you try it. I’ll be quiet now.
Kathryn on 18 Dec 2009 at 4:43 pm #
So fun! It’s like you’re living in a sitcom now, complete with mischievous little boys!
Natalie (Georgia) on 18 Dec 2009 at 7:14 pm #
That is so great about your sister moving across from you! Enjoy!!!!!
Katharine on 19 Dec 2009 at 9:18 am #
Wowsers! Lobster Poutine! Sounds so amazing. Sounds like a staple at one of Schmordain’s restaurants.
Those are some resourceful boys, hey? One day our kids will be supporting us in our old age and you’ll be thankful that the boys figured out how to fill a box with water and have become rocket scientists and physicists.
Rosalie on 19 Dec 2009 at 11:58 am #
Where did you get the sock monkey decoration? I love your ornaments–exactly the kind I hang on my tree. I very much enjoy reading your blog.
Robyn in Mountain (Ontario that is) on 20 Dec 2009 at 5:11 am #
There is a restaurant in Ottawa that makes Lobster Poutine as well. I have not tried it yet, but they provided their recipe on the local morning news show. It sounds divine. Oh how I wish I lived closer for all those great prizes. This is certainly a recipe that two sisters (or three in my case) could enjoy over a good bottle of wine — or several. Cheers!
Lobster Poutine
Ingredients
1. 1 live lobster (or pre-cooked)
2. 1/3 cup (75 mL) unsalted butter
3. 1 cup (250 mL) lobster stock (or substitute fish stock, or clam juice)
4. 1 container (475-g) mascarpone cheese
5. 1 cup (250 mL) heavy 35-per-cent cream
6. 1 teaspoon (5 mL) minced garlic
7. Salt and pepper, to taste
8. 11/2 pounds (680 g) French fries, deep-fried or oven-baked)
Preparation
Lobster:
1. In a large pot of boiling, salted water boil live lobster 8 to 10 minutes, or until base of tail starts to separate from body. (Or, bypass this step and use pre-cooked whole lobster.)
2. Remove lobster from water, cool.
3. Remove all tail, claw and arm meat.
4. Cut meat into small bite-size cubes; reserve.
Sauce:
1. In a saucepan on medium heat, melt butter, then add stock, mascarpone, cream and garlic.
2. Whisk together and reduce temperature to low.
3. Simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in lobster meat.
5. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
6. Pour over fries to serve.