LOBSTER FRA DIAVOLO (for eight)

To keep lobsters alive in your fridge for up to 1 day, pack in damp newspaper.  You can substitute eight frozen tails; sear per recipe method, then use meat from four in place of knuckles and claws, and split the others for serving.

4 (1-1/4 pound) lobsters

2/3 cup (or more) extra virgin olive oil, divided

kosher salt

1 cup brandy

2 medium onions, chopped

2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped

2 medium fennel bulbs, chopped

8 garlic cloves, crushed

¼ cup finely chopped drained oil packed Calabrian chiles

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, plus more for serving

¼ cup tomato paste

2 cups dry white wine

4 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, preferably San Marzano, drained and pureed

2 pounds linguine

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1/3 cup finely chopped parsley

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

lemon wedges (for serving)

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1.   This first part might not be pleasant. But it’ll be over quickly.  Working with one lobster at a time, place on a cutting board, belly side down, with head facing you (freezing them for 8 to 10 minutes will render them fairly immobile).  Insert a chef’s knife where the shell meets the head and swiftly bisect head lengthwise in one fell swoop (leave tail intact).  Using the back of a cleaver or lobster cracker, crack each claw on all sides.  Twist off tails and cut in half through shells lengthwise.  Remove any tomalley or eggs (reserve if you like).  Twist off knuckles and claws, then separate knuckles from claws using cleaver.

2.   Heat 1/3 cup oil in a wide Dutch oven or pot that’s large enough to hold pasta over medium high.  Season lobsters with salt and, working in separate batches and being careful not to over crowd the pot, sear lobster pieces, turning occasionally and adding more oil if the pot looks dry, until shells are bright red, about 4 minutes for knuckles, claws and tails, about 6 minutes for heads. Transfer lobsters to a rimmed baking sheet and let cool slightly.  Remove pot from heat and add brandy.  Return to heat and cook, scraping up browned bits, until the smell of alcohol is almost gone, about 2 minutes.  Transfer brandy mixture to a small bowl.  Pick lobster meat from knuckles and claws and discard shells.  Place meat in an airtight container with tails; cover and chill until ready to use.  Set heads aside.  Wipe out pot and reserve.

3.   Working in batches, pulse onions, carrots and fennel separately in a food processor until finely chopped; transfer vegetables to a large bowl after each is chopped.  Heat remaining 1/3 cup oil in reserved pot over medium high.  Cook vegetables stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 8 minutes.  Add garlic, chiles and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes and cook, smashing garlic with a wooden spoon and stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly darkened, about 3 minutes. Add wine and reserved lobster heads; bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced by one third, about 2 minutes.  Add tomato puree to pot and bring to a simmer.  Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce is slightly thickened, 10 to 15 minutes.  Discard lobster heads.

4.   Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally. until very al dente.  Drain, reserving 3 cups pasta boiling water.

5.   Add butter, chilled lobster meat, lobster tails, pasta, reserved brandy mixture and 2 cups pasta cooking liquid to sauce.  Cook, tossing to combine and adding more pasta cooking water as needed, until sauce coats pasta.  Because you’re working with a large amount of pasta and sauce, this will take effort – toss using a large, sturdy spoon in each hand, and make sure to get to the bottom of the pot as you go.  Add parsley and lemon juice and transfer pasta to a platter, arranging lobster tails on top.  Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and serve lemon wedges alongside to squeeze over.

NOTE:  Lobsters can be prepared 6 hours ahead.  Cover and chill.

from Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, December, 2016