32 pitted nicoise or oil-cured olives, sliced in half
1½ pounds Idaho® small red potatoes
32 cherry tomatoes
Anchovies (optional)
Basil vinaigrette (see separate recipe)
16 oz fresh-picked lobster meat (see separate recipe)
4 hardboiled eggs, quartered
2 tablespoon capers
Basil Oil
2 cups extra virgin olive oil
1 bunch basil (6 stems)
Basil Vinaigrette
1 tablespoon sugar
1 ½ tablespoon salt
1 ounce sherry vinegar
4 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2 cups basil oil
½ tablespoon finely chopped fresh garlic
1 teaspoon dry mustard
½ teaspoon black pepper
Steamed Lobster
3 1 ½ pounds live lobsters
2 bay leaves
1 onion, peeled
3 to 4 carrots
Instructions:
Begin one day in advance, preparing basil oil, basil vinaigrette, steamed lobster and boiled eggs.
Wash and dry potatoes, peel slightly, a stripe or two of peel alternating with a strip of skin. Boil until cooked, but still firm. 10-15 minutes. Cut in quarters while warm. Place in plastic bag with 1/3 cup basil vinaigrette and let sit while assembling the rest of the salad.
Mix picked lobster with 1/3 cup basil vinaigrette in a plastic bag for 30 minutes.
Clean and steam haricot vert in ½ inch water until al dente. Immerse in an ice water bath to stop cooking
Toss greens in ½ cup basil vinaigrette – mixed well and divide equally on 4 plates
Divide lobster into four equal portions and place gently in the center of each plate of greens
Divide haricot vert, cherry tomatoes, olives, Idaho® red potatoes, capers and boiled eggs into 4 equal portions and arrange decoratively around each portion of lobster on each plate. Add anchovies if desired.
Drizzle 2 tablespoons additional dressing over each bowl. Serve.
Basil Oil
Wash basil and immerse in oil overnight.
Remove Basil Stems from Oil and discard
Basil Vinaigrette
Mix all ingredients in a bowl well with a whisk except oil
Add oil slowly while whisking.
Add 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
Steamed Lobster
In a large pot bring four inches of water to a rolling boil.
Add 2 bay leaves, onion, and carrots to the pot. Boil for 2-3 minutes.
Add the lobsters, cover, bring back to a rolling boil, and boil for and keep at a rolling boil for 10 minutes.
Remove the lobsters and let them rest.
Pick the cooled lobsters. Roughly chop the tails and any large claws.