Ludovic Lefebvre, chef at Los Angeles's Bastide, adores the Raynaud Cristobal porcelain plates sold at Le Sanctuaire. Their lobster-pink pattern inspired him to create a sake-spiked lobster dish with chewy udon noodles, tender bok choy and sweet citrus wedges. Ingredients 2 1.25 pound Live lobsters 2 heads baby bok choy 1/4 pound dried Japanese udon noodles 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 small shallots thinly sliced to taste Salt 1 ea orange or grapefruit 1 medium onion thinly sliced 1/2 pound oyster mushrooms large caps quartered 1 tablespoon light brown sugar 1/2 cup vegetable stock or low-sodium broth 2 tablespoons sake to taste Ground black pepper ground pepper 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the lobsters head first and cook for 5 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the lobsters to a rimmed baking sheet. Bring the water back to a boil. Add the bok choy and cook for 30 seconds. Transfer the bok choy to a work surface and quarter each head lengthwise.

Add the udon noodles to the boiling water and cook, stirring often, until al dente, about 6 minutes. Drain the udon. Return the noodles to the pot and cover with cold water. Drain and rinse the udon 2 more times, then drain thoroughly, lifting the noodles a few times to help them dry.

In a small skillet, heat 1/4 cup of the oil. Add the shallots and cook over moderate heat, stirring a few times, until browned and crisp, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shallots to paper towels to drain, then salt lightly.
Crack the lobster claws and remove the meat in one piece. Twist off the lobster tails. Using kitchen shears, slit one side of each tail shell and remove the meat in one piece. Cut the tail meat in half lengthwise and discard the intestinal veins.
Using a sharp knife, peel the orange, taking care to remove all of the bitter white pith. Cut in between the membranes to release the sections.

In a large skillet, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil. Add the onion and mushrooms and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the brown sugar, bok choy, vegetable stock and sake and bring to a simmer. Add the udon, season with salt and pepper and stir well.

In a medium skillet, melt the butter. Add the lobster meat and cook over moderately low heat, turning a few times, until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Crush the fried shallots over the lobster and stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the noodles and vegetables to a serving bowl or deep plates, set the lobster and orange sections on top and serve right away.


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Yields: 4 Servings
     Food & Wine magazine, March 2006, page 125

notes:  MAKE AHEAD: The recipe can be prepared one day ahead through Step 3. Refrigerate the lobster, bok choy and udon separately. Store the shallots in an airtight container at room temperature.

WINE: The sake in this tangy noodle dish should be echoed by sake in the glass, ideally one that's dry and relatively rich. Try the pear-inflected Mukune Junmai Ginjo "Root of Innocence" or the fragrant Fukucho Junmai Ginjo "Moon on the Water."

Cuisine:   French

Main Ingredient:   Lobster