Lobster Curry

Dish from South Africa. Prep time does not include time to blanch and peel tomatoes. This recipe is from epicurious.com.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 4 entrees

Ingredients

• 4  lobsters
• 1  cup  fish stock
• 1 -2  tablespoon  vegetable oil (or more or less based on personal preference (see steps 2 & 3)
• 12  pickling onions, peeled
• 2  teaspoons  crushed garlic
• 1 -2  fresh chili pepper, finely sliced and seeded
• 4 -5  curry leaves
• 1  teaspoon ground cumin
• 1  teaspoon ground coriander
• 1⁄2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1  stick cinnamon
• 4  large  ripe tomatoes, blanched, skinned, and chopped
•  lemon juice
•  salt, to taste
•  fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 1⁄4 cup plain yogurt (optional)

Directions

1. Bring the fish stock to the boil in a large saucepan, add lobster bodies and tail fans and boil for 6 minutes (no longer or you will overcook the legs). Remove from the pot. Pull off legs and claws, cover and set aside with the tail fans (they will later decorate the completed dish). Strain and retain the stock for the sauce.
2. Heat a little oil in a large saucepan and lightly cover the lobster tail pieces for about 1 minute. Set aside.
3. Lightly brown the onions and garlic in the same pot (add extra oil if necessary), then add the chilli, curry leaves, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cardamom, and cinnamon. Sizzle the spices for about 30 seconds, then add the chopped tomato, lemon juice, stock and a little salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes.
4. Just before serving return the lobster to the sauce and simmer for 2-3 minutes until cooked. Add the yogurt and heat through. Tip into a warm bowl, or serve directly from the pan. Garnish with the reserved tail fans and legs.