Steamed Lobsters
with Seared Wild Mushrooms


You can ask your fishmonger to halve the live lobster for you; use immediately. Or cook the whole lobsters in a pot of boiling water and split them in half before serving.

INGREDIENTS
2Two-pound lobsters, halved lengthwise

1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons Minced garlic

Salt and freshly ground pepper

3/4 cup Dry white wine

Juice of 1/2 lemon

8 Juniper berries, crushed

2 Bay leaves

1 teaspoon Chopped thyme

8 Thyme sprigs

1 pound Assorted wild mushrooms, stems trimmed and mushrooms thinly sliced

Large slices of sourdough bread, toasted

DIRECTIONS:
1.Rub the cut sides of the lobster tails with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of the garlic. Then season the lobster with salt and pepper.

2.In a large steamer, combine 1/2 cup of the wine with the lemon juice, juniper berries, bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Add 2 inches of water, then the lobsters, cut side up, in a steamer basket and cover tightly. Steam the lobsters over high heat about 8 minutes, or until the tails are cooked through and the claws are red.

3.Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the remaining 1/4 cup of oil until shimmering. Add the mushrooms and cook over high heat until tender and just beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of garlic and the chopped thyme and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of white wine and cook until almost evaporated. Season with salt and pepper.

4.Transfer the lobster to 4 large plates. Spoon the mushrooms onto the sourdough toasts and serve alongside.