World Gourmet Summit 2004
Culinary Masterclass


The Cuisine of
Christoph Rüffer
Haerlin Restaurant,
Raffles Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten,
Hamburg Germany

Warm Lobster Salad with Artichoke, Melon and Cress

  Serves 10
  INGREDIENTS
  Lobster
5 x 500g

1 dl
1/2
Maine lobsters
Court bouillon, for blanching
Dandaragan Estate Olive Oil
lemon, for juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Artichokes
500g
100g
fresh artichokes, cleaned
mirepoix (leek, onions, fennel)
Dandaragan Estate Olive Oil
  Melons
1
1
2 dl
cantaloupe melon (about 1kg)
watermelon (about 1kg)
port wine
  Lobster Bisque
1 kg
50g
1/2 dl
200g
100g
1 dl
5 dl
2 dl
1 can
20g
4
4
5 dl
lobster shells
butter
Dandaragan Estate Olive Oil
mirepoix (onion, celery, carrots)
tomato puree
brandy
white wine
noilly prat
tomatoes, peeled, drained (about 500g)
pepper corns
bay leaves
young ginger slices
cream
Salt and pepper, to taste
Ground nutmeg and walnuts
  Garnish
150g
20g
fresh cress
fresh chives
Method:
1.
For the Lobster: Boil the Main lobsters for approximately 4 minutes in court bouillon, then shock them in ice water. Cut off the heads and claws, and reserve them for preparing the lobster bisque. Cut the tails in half, and sauté them quickly in Dandaragan Estate Olive Oil. Season with lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste.
2.
For the Artichokes: Cook the artichokes in a pot of boiling, salted water together with the mirepoix until the artichokes are al dente. Shock them in ice water to cool. Slice the artichokes and then sauté with some Dandaragan Estate Olive Oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3.
For the Melons: Scoop the melon flesh to form small round spheres and soak them in a bowl of port wine.
4.
For the Lobster Bisque: Chop the reserved lobster shell into small pieces and sauté in a pot with butter and Dandaragan Estate Olive Oil. Add the mirepoix and continue sautéing until vegetables are tender. Then add the tomato paste, and flambé the mixture with brandy, white wine and noily prat. Add in the canned tomatoes, peppercorn, bay leaves, ginger slices and pour in hot water until the shells are at least 2/3 covered. Simmer for approximately 30 minutes, then add in the cream, mix well and leave to simmer for a further 15 minutes.
5.
Remove the pot from heat and pour the lobster bisque through a fine sieve and season with salt and pepper, as well as ground nutmeg and walnut.

To Serve:
Sprinkle cress on a serving dish. Spoon the marinated melon balls and sauteed artichokes around. Place the lobster tail in center of plate and garnish with chives. Pour a little hot lobster bisque over the lobster tail.