Lobster Balls Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Place a wire cooling rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Cut the top shell of the lobster tails lengthwise down the middle with kitchen shears. Then, using a knife, cut all the way through the tails to split into 2 pieces. Place them flesh-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
• Mix together the butter, parsley, shallot, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
• Spread 2 teaspoons of the compound butter on the flesh of each lobster tail half. Broil until the shells turn a bright orange, the flesh is opaque and cooked through and the tails begin to curl, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer the tails to a serving platter and top each half with another teaspoon of the compound butter (save the remainder for another use).

Steps:

• For the risotto: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook until they are softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add the rice and stir with a wooden spoon to combine the onion mixture with the rice. Add the wine and simmer until the liquid is evaporated. Add 1/2 cup of the stock and stir until almost completely absorbed, about 2 minutes. Continue adding the stock, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition of stock to absorb before adding the next. You may need to add an additional cup of water. Cook until the rice is tender but still firm, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan, lemon juice, parsley, salt and pepper. Spray a baking sheet with the nonstick cooking spray and spread the risotto out on the sheet to cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes.
• For the arancini: In a large bowl combine the risotto, 1/2 cup of the panko, the Parmesan and the eggs. With damp hands, use about 2 tablespoons of the risotto mixture to form 1 3/4-inch diameter balls. Make an indentation in the center of each ball and insert a cube of lobster. Cover up the hole to completely enclose the lobster and roll the balls in the remaining 1 1/2 cups panko to coat.
• In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour in enough oil to so that it is 3-inches deep. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 350 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer, a cube of bread will brown in about 2 minutes.) In batches, fry the rice balls, turning occasionally, until golden, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve.

Steps:

• Cook the macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and add the lobster tails. Cook for about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the tails from the water and cool. Gently remove the meat and chop into small chunks. Add the meat to a small bowl and lightly season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, add the butter. Sprinkle the flour into the butter and stir it with a whisk. Cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in the warmed 2 cups of half- and-half into the flour mixture, working out any lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the cheeses, and stir until melted and smooth; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Gently mix in chopped lobster meat. Fold the lobster-cheese sauce into the macaroni.
• Pour the macaroni and cheese into a shallow pan and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours. Shape the cold macaroni and cheese into individual size balls and arrange them on a parchment paper-lined tray. Freeze the balls at least another 2 hours. In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs and 2 tablespoons half-and-half together to form an egg wash. Put the bread crumbs into another shallow bowl. Remove the macaroni and cheese balls from the freezer. Dip the frozen balls into the egg wash, then into the bread crumbs. Put the balls back into the freezer until you are ready to fry.
• In a deep-fryer or heavy-bottomed pot, heat enough canola oil to come halfway up the sides of the pot, to 350 degrees F. Fry the macaroni and cheese balls, in batches, until they are golden brown and center is hot, about 5 minutes. Remove the balls to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
• Skewer the balls with a long bamboo spears to help hold together, and serve.