Recipe - Adult Baked Macaroni

8 Sprigs fresh thyme
8 Sprigs fresh flatleaf
parsley
12 Black peppercorns
1 Bay leaf
2 Lemons cut in half
4 Live lobsters; preferably
from Maine, 1One half lbs each
Handful of coarse salt
2 One half pound Dried penne
3 tablespoon Vegetable or olive oil
2 cup Freshly grated Parmesan
cheese
2 cup Provolone cheese; (imported,
grated)
1 pound Fresh spinach; washed,
dried, and chopped
3 cup Heavy cream
1 tablespoon Truffle oil
Coarse salt and freshly
ground black pepper to
taste

OPTIONAL
1 md Truffles; (black or white),
slivered (up to 2)

Carole Peck Owner/Executive Chef The Good News Cafe, Woodbury CT; Author,
The Buffet Book (Viking Penguin 1997)

"I do not believe there is one food that is an aphrodisiac, but some dishes
can be so comforting that they make you more relaxed and in a more loving
mood."

To cook the lobster fill an 810 quart pot threefourths full with water.
Add the thyme, parsley, peppercorns, and bay leaf. Squeeze in the juice of
the lemons, then drop them in the pot. Cover and bring to a rolling boil
over high heat. Add the lobsters and cook 12 to 15 minutes. Drain the
lobsters in a colander, cover with ice, and let cool.

When the lobster is cool enough to handle, pull the tail from the body and
remove the claws. Discard the body, or reserve for use in a sauce or stock.
Cut the shell from the tail using a knife or scissors and remove the meat.
With the blunt end of a knife chop off the tips of the claws as close to
the ends as possible (this will help release the meat from the claws).
Crack the claws in the center, break open, and carefully remove the claw
meat without breaking apart. Meat from the larger claws will have a piece
of cartilage in it; this can be pulled out from the area where the claw
fingers meet. Cut the tail meat into One half inch slices. Leave the claws whole
to use as a garnish. Set the lobster meat aside until ready to assemble the
pasta dish.

To cook the pasta, fill a 6 to 8 quart pot with water, add salt, cover, and
bring to a boil over high heat. Add the penne and stir. Cook the pasta for
approximately 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Pour into a colander to
drain. Do not rinse the pasta; just toss it to remove any excess water.
Sprinkle the oil over the pasta and toss with a large chef's fork. Pour the
pasta onto a sheet tray or shallow dish to cool (if it looks too sticky,
sprinkle some more oil on at this point). Let the pasta cool to room
temperature.

When the pasta is cooled preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the
cooled pasta in a bowl with the Parmesan and provolone cheese, spinach,
heavy cream, and lobster meat (except claws). Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer to a large round, oval, or oblong baking dish and bake for
approximately 25 minutes, until bubbling hot. Garnish with the lobster
claws and truffle slivers (if using).

Posted to recipeludigest by molony molony@scsn.net on Mar 04, 1998