Smoky Lobster Salad With Potatoes
This salad is a riff on a traditional Spanish dish, pulpo a la gallega, a favorite item on tapas bar menus all over the country. It is essentially boiled octopus and potatoes, sliced and served with a good drizzle of olive oil and a dusting of smoky pimentón. This version uses lobster instead, and adds strips of roasted pepper and cherry tomatoes.
- Total:
- Serves: 4 persons
Ingredients
- Kosher salt
- 1 ½pounds small, yellow-fleshed potatoes, such as Yukon, peeled
- 2live lobsters (about 3 pounds)
- 2medium red bell peppers
- 1pint cherry tomatoes, halved (about 2 cups)
- 4tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more to taste
- 1teaspoon pimentón (smoked Spanish paprika)
- A few parsley leaves, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and lobsters, let the water return to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove lobsters and let cool to room temperature. Probe potatoes with a small knife to make sure they are fully cooked, then drain and let cool to room temperature. (Alternatively, cook potatoes in a separate pot.)Step 2
Meanwhile, roast the peppers: Place whole peppers over the flames of a gas stovetop burner turned to high, under the broiler or over a bed of hot coals. Turn the peppers frequently with tongs, allowing the skins to completely blacken, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and place in a bowl.Step 3
When the peppers cool, cut them in half, top to bottom. Use a spoon to remove the seeds, then place the peppers flat on a cutting board blackened-side up. With a paring knife, scrape away the charred skin and wipe with a paper towel. Don’t worry if a few charred specks remain— do not rinse. Cut peppers into 1/2-inch-wide strips.Step 4
Remove lobster meat from shell. (A pair of strong kitchen shears is a good tool to use.) Cut tail meat crosswise into 1/2-inch slices, and claw meat into similar pieces. Reserve knuckle and head meat for a cook’s treat.Step 5
To make the salad, slice the potatoes into 1/4-inch slices and arrange in one layer on a large platter without crowding. Top each potato slice with a piece of lobster. Drape pepper strips over lobster and decorate with cherry tomatoes.Step 6
Sprinkle lightly with salt and drizzle generously with olive oil. Dust surface with pimentón. Garnish with parsley leaves and serve at room temperature.