Lobster and Crab Risotto

Preparation time : Under 30mn.

Cooking Time : Under 30 mn.

Serves : 6-8 people

Ingredients

Shellfish and Seafood Broth:

• 30g butter
• 2 shallots, cut in half
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 head of fennel, cut into quarters
• 2 carrots, cut in half
• Salt
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1L water
• 1 cup white wine
• 2 small whole lobsters/crayfish (about 680g each)
• 1kg king crab legs

Risotto:

• Olive oil
• 1 sweet onion, minced
• Salt
• 1 large clove of garlic, grated or minced
• 360g Arborio rice
• 240 ml dry white wine (e.g., Chardonnay)
• 1L seafood broth (plus more as needed)
• 150g cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 30g unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons fresh herbs (e.g., dill, fennel fronds, basil), finely chopped
• 680g cooked crab and lobster meat, roughly chopped
• 50g grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

Preparation

Shellfish and Seafood Broth:

• Heat the butter.
• Add shallots, garlic, fennel, and carrots with a large pinch of salt.
• Sauté for about 5 minutes, until starting to brown and caramelize.
• Add the tomato paste and cook for 30 seconds.
• Pour in the water and white wine, then bring to a simmer.

Add the seafood:

• Place whole lobsters/crayfish and crab legs on top of the vegetables.
• Cover and simmer for about 12 minutes, until the seafood is cooked through and firm.
• Remove seafood from pot and set aside to cool.
• Strain the broth into another pan and keep warm on low heat.
• Once cool, remove the meat from the shells.

Risotto:

• Add olive oil to a shallow casserole and heat over medium.
• Sauté the minced onion with a pinch of salt for about 5 minutes, until soft and translucent.

Toast the rice:

• Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Stir in the rice and toast for 30 seconds, until nutty.
• Add wine and stir continuously until absorbed.

5. Cook the risotto:

• Add one ladle (about 240 ml) of seafood broth at a time, stirring constantly.
• Continue adding broth until rice is al dente, around 20 minutes.
• Stir in an extra 120 ml broth along with cherry tomatoes, butter, herbs, crab and lobster meat, and Parmigiano Reggiano.