Creamy Lobster Pasta

To make the lobster sauce

1. See note 3&4 if you have lobster meat and no shells.
2. Remove the tail meat from the lobster/crayfish and cut it into small bite-sized chunks. Set to one side until you have made the pasta.1 cooked lobster/crayfish
3. Break the shell/head into chunks (don't throw out the tomalley from the lobster head, add that to the pan)
4. Add the olive oil to a large deep saute pan (or saucepan); once shimmering, add the shells and head and fry over medium-low heat until aromatic and the oil is a rich orange color.3 tbsp olive oil
5. Use your spatula to push and squish the hard shells, getting plenty of roasted color on them.
6. Add the onion, celery and cook for 3 minutes.1 onion1 rib celery
7. Add the garlic and tarragon, cook for 30 seconds, then immediately add the broth/stock and simmer gently for 20 minutes.3 cloves garlic2 sprigs tarragon2 cup / 480 ml low sodium broth
8. Strain the stock well and boil to reduce to about 1 cup of liquid. (see note 5)
9. Add the heavy cream to the pan and bring to a simmer. Simmer on the lowest heat for 10 minutes while the pasta cooks.1½ cups / 360 ml heavy cream

Cook the pasta

1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil, add the salt and the pasta, and cook for 1 minute less than the packet suggests. Reserve 2 cups of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.½ tbsp salt½ lb / 225 g spaghetti

To finish the dish

1. Still over low heat, add the cooked pasta, chopped lobster meat, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest to the pasta sauce and stir to combine gently.pinch crushed red pepper flakes1 tsp lemon zest
2. Add the parmesan to the sauce gradually, stirring gently to allow it to melt in the sauce.½ cup / 40 g grated parmesan
3. Add around ¼ cup of the reserved pasta cooking water and gently turn the pasta around in the sauce until the lobster has warmed through and the pasta is perfectly cooked. Add more pasta water as needed.
4. Taste and add salt if needed.
5. Serve garnished with chopped chives, black pepper, and additional parmesan.1 tbsp chopped chives black pepper parmesan