Lobster Polenta Pizza

Ingredients:

1 box instant polenta
8 ounce mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
2 heads roasted garlic
8 ounces fontina cheese, freshly grated
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 to 4 lobster tails, raw and removed from shell
1 jar semi dried cherry tomatoes
fresh basil leaves for topping
freshly grated parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Prepare the polenta until it is just thickened, then spread it out into a thin layer on a nonstick baking sheet. Bake the crust for 20 to 25 minutes, or until it is slightly crispy and set in a crust. Remove and let the crust cool slightly.

Add the mascarpone to a bowl. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into a smaller bowl and add a pinch of salt, then mash well with a fork. Add the garlic to the mascarpone and stir until combined.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil and butter. Add the lobster tails and cook until they are just opaque and bright red in color - be sure to not over cook since they will cook more in the oven. Remove from heat immediately and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Allow to cool slightly then chop into pieces.

To make the pizza, spread the roasted garlic mascarpone over the crust, leaving an inch or so around the ends. Sprinkle three quarters of the fontina on top, then add the lobster pieces and the cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is crispier. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh basil leaves and parmesan cheese. Cut into slices. Serve immediately.

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Salmon with Cilantro and Lime Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 lime, juice and zest
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 jalapeno, coarsely chopped (optional)
• 1 clove garlic, coarsely chopped
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 pound salmon fillet

Instructions

1. Puree the oil, lime, juice and zest, cilantro, jalapeno and garlic in a food processor until smooth.
2. Place the salmon on foil on a baking sheet, pat dry, season with salt and pepper, spread on the cilantro and lime mixture and bake in a preheated 400F/200C oven (or barbecue) until just cooked, about 10-15 minutes.

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Pasta Seafood Salad

Ingredients

• 3 pounds uncooked bow tie pasta
• 1-1/2 pounds imitation crabmeat, chopped
• 1 pound frozen cooked salad shrimp, thawed
• 4 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 cup finely chopped green onions
• 1 medium green pepper, diced
• 4 cups mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup dill pickle relish
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon dill weed
• 3/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add the crab, shrimp, celery, onions and green pepper.
2. In another bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, pickle relish, mustard, salt, dill and pepper. Pour over pasta mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. 

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Seared Scallops

Ingredients

• 1 pound sea scallops, patted dry
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Freshly ground sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Lemon for squeezing, optional

Instructions

1. Remove tiny side muscle from the scallops if they have them, then rinse with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.
2. Add the butter and oil to a large saute pan over high heat.
3. Generously salt and pepper the scallops. Once the butter/oil combo begins to smoke, gently add the scallops, making sure they are not touching. Sear scallops for 1 1/2 minutes on each side - not touching them at all while they're searing. The scallops should have a nice golden crust on each side and be translucent in the center. Serve right away!

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