Lobster Thermidor

Ingredients

Newburg Sauce

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup clam juice
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Pinch of salt
• 3 tablespoons sherry
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons light cream

Lobster

• 5 ounces lobster meat, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped pimentos
• 1/2 cup thick sliced mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives
• Butter for sautéeing
• 1 tablespoon sherry
• Newburg Sauce
• 1/2 to 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese

Method

1. Lobster: Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Newburg Sauce: Melt butter over a medium low flame. When completely melted, add paprika and stir for 2 minutes. Add the flour to the butter and stir for 2 to 3 minutes to cook the roux. Stir constantly to avoid burning. Add the clam juice and stir until thickening begins. Add 1/4 cup milk, light cream and sherry. Simmer for 5 minutes and, if needed, add remaining 1/4 cup milk. Serve immediately or refrigerate for future use.
3. Over medium heat, melt enough butter to lightly cover the bottom of a heavy, large sauté pan. Place the lobster, chives, pimentos and mushrooms in the pan and stir for 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Increase the heat to high and add the sherry to deglaze the pan. Be careful as the sherry may flame up as the alcohol burns off.
5. Stir in 4 ounces of Newburg Sauce and stir for 1 minute. Pour into a single serving casserole and sprinkle with the cheese.
6. Bake for about 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.

Serve immediately.