Anniversary Dinner: Lobster, Asparagus, Fingerling Potatoes & Garlic Bread

Boiled Lobster
It is important to select a pot big enough to hold enough water to cover the lobsters completely. Bring the water to a rolling boil and add 1 tablespoon salt per quart of water. Put the lobsters in claws first and begin timing from the moment the water comes back to a boil.

For 1 pound: 5 minutes
1 1/8 pounds: 6 minutes
1 1/4 pounds: 8 minutes
1 1/2 to 2 pounds: 8 to 10 minutes
more than 2 pounds : 12 minutes

Asparagus
• 4 paper towels
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 bunch fresh asparagus, 1 to 1 ½ inches cut off the bottom
• 1 tbsp butter (or Earth Balance if you don’t eat dairy)
• Salt & Pepper

Pour the water onto 4 paper towels. Spread out the paper towels and lay the asparagus on top of the dampened towels. Sprinkle with the salt. Roll up the asparagus in the dampened towels. Lay the bundle, seam side down, in the microwave. Microwave on high until the asparagus is just crisp tender, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the butter in a sauté pan. Remove the asparagus from the microwave using tongs and carefully unwrap. Add the asparagus to the heated butter, generously season with salt & pepper, and sauté for another 3-5 minutes.

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
• 1 1/2 pounds small fingerling potatoes, cleaned
• 2 tsp. minced garlic
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling, 1 to 2 tablespoons
• Salt and pepper

Heat oven to 500 degrees F.

Spread potatoes out on a cookie sheet. Rub garlic onto each potato. Coat lightly with extra-virgin olive oil and season potatoes with salt and pepper. Roast until tender, about 20 minutes. Turn the potatoes and roast another 5 minutes.

Garlic Bread
• 2 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 tbsp. butter (or Earth Balance if you don't eat dairy)
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large sour dough sandwich roll, split
• Dried parsley
• Paprika

Combine garlic, butter, and oil in a small saucepan, heat over moderate-low heat for 3 minutes.

Brush bread liberally with garlic oil. Sprinkle with dried parsley & paprika. Put under the broiler and brown until golden, about 3 minutes.