Lobster Stock

Name: Lobster Stock
Ingredients: 18 quarts water, divided; 6 tablespoons salt; 2 (2 1/2-pound) whole lobsters; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup coarsely chopped fennel bulb; 1 cup coarsely chopped parsnip; 1 cup coarsely chopped carrot; 1/2 cup coarsely chopped celery; 2 whole garlic heads, halved horizontally; 1 large onion, quartered; 2 cups dry white wine; 2 sprigs fresh parsley; 2 sprigs fresh thyme

13 ingredients

3 steps

Ingredients

18 quarts water, divided
6 tablespoons salt
2 (2 1/2-pound) whole lobsters
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup coarsely chopped fennel bulb
1 cup coarsely chopped parsnip
1 cup coarsely chopped carrot
1/2 cup coarsely chopped celery
2 whole garlic heads, halved horizontally
1 large onion, quartered
2 cups dry white wine
2 sprigs fresh parsley
2 sprigs fresh thyme

Directions

1

Bring 15 quarts of water and salt to a boil in a 19-quart stockpot; plunge lobsters headfirst, 1 at a time, into water. Return to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 8 minutes for small lobsters (1 to 1 1/4 pounds) and 10 minutes for larger lobsters (1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pounds). Drain well; cool completely.
2

Remove meat from cooked lobster tails and claws; reserve meat for another use. Rinse out head portion of lobsters. Place lobster shells in a large heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag. Coarsely crush shells using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
3

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add fennel and next 5 ingredients (fennel through onion); saute 5 minutes or until vegetables are lightly browned. Add 3 quarts of water, crushed shells, wine, parsley, and thyme; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour. Strain shell mixture through a sieve over a bowl, reserving stock. Discard solids.