Maine Lobster Cappuccino with Diced Lobster
From Yankee Magazine — February 2000
Soups, Stews, Chowders Recipes | Fish and Seafood Recipes
Yield: 6 servings
The coffee drink is called cappuccino because it's the same color as the robes of Capuchin monks. The soup is called cappuccino because it has a thick cap of froth, just like the one on the drink. Other than that, it's a classic lobster bisque, and although it's not difficult to make, it does take quite a bit of time — and a lot of boiling down. The concentration of flavor is what makes the taste so marvelous, but it creates a lot of lobster-flavored steam, so plan to keep the windows open if you don't have a good stove hood.
- 3 pounds lobster shells (see note)
- 1½ pounds plum tomatoes
- 1 onion, coarsely chopped
- 1 fennel bulb, coarsely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 cup sweet white wine such as Riesling
- ½ cup Pernod
- 3 quarts to 1 gallon water
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 quart heavy cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- 8 ounces precooked lobster meat, diced and warmed
- finely chopped dill for garnish
Heat oven to 375 degrees F. In a wide, shallow roasting pan mix lobster, shells, tomatoes, onion, fennel, celery, and garlic, then roast until heated and starting to dry out, 15 to 20 minutes.
Add the wine and Pernod and at once touch a match to the liquor. It will flame up; shake it until the flames go out.
Transfer shells and vegetables into a stockpot, cover with water, add tomato paste. Cover and simmer for 3 hours, then strain, discarding solids.
Put liquid in a thick-bottomed pan on high heat, and boil until reduced to about 7 cups, 40 to 60 minutes. Add the cream, bring to a simmer, and again reduce — it will take about an hour. Season to taste. (Recipe may be made to this point a day in advance, refrigerated, then reheated before serving.)
Divide lobster meat among 6 soup cups. Tilt soup pot and use an immersion (stick) blender or portable mixer to beat the hot soup until a head of foam resembling a cappuccino forms. Quickly pour into soup cups, garnish with dill, and serve.
Yields 6 servings.
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