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Lobster Salad with Grapefruit, Avocado, and Hearts of Palm

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 8 as an appetizer

Ingredients

4 1 1/4-pound lobsters
2 ruby red or pink grapefruits
1 tablespoon finely minced shallots
1 1/4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon freshly chopped lemon basil or regular basil, plus leaves for garnish
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 avocados, peeled and pitted
4 hearts of palm, cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
1 large head Boston lettuce (8 ounces)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Fill a large bowl with ice and water; set aside. Bring a stockpot of water to a boil. Boil the lobsters for 10 minutes; transfer to the ice bath until cool. Break off the claws and tails; use the bodies to make a stock, or discard. Split the tail lengthwise with a sharp knife; remove the meat. Slice the tail into bite-size pieces. Remove the claws from the shells, keeping them whole if possible. Chill the lobster meat.

    Step 2

    Cut the ends off the grapefruit; remove the peel, pith, and outer membranes. Lift the sections away from the membranes, and reserve. Squeeze 1/2 cup juice from the membranes into a bowl for dressing.

    Step 3

    Place the shallots, mustard, vinegar, grapefruit juice, and lemon basil in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. Gradually whisk in the olive oil; adjust seasoning.

    Step 4

    Cut the avocados into 1/2-inch-thick wedges; coat with a little grapefruit juice to prevent discoloration. Add the lobster, grapefruit, and hearts of palm. Line 8 dishes with 1 lettuce leaf each. Tear the remaining lettuce into bite-size pieces; add to the lobster mixture. Drizzle with dressing; toss. Fill the lettuce leaves with salad; garnish with lemon basil.

The cookbook cover with a blue background and fine typeface.
Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group. Buy the full book from Amazon.
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