Seafood Salad with Fennel and Green Beans

Ingredients for Seafood Salad with Fennel and Green Beans

• 230g green beans, stem ends trimmed

• 1 (1 1/4-lb) live lobster

• 350g cherry tomatoes (325g )

• 120ml coarsely chopped red onion

• 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar

• 3/4 teaspoons salt

• 2 small fennel bulbs (sometimes called anise

• about 675g total), stalks discarded

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 450g large prawns in shell (21 to 25 per lb)

• 450g sea scallops, tough muscle from side of each discarded if attached

• 1/4 teaspoons black pepper

• 1/3 cup torn fresh basil leaves

• Garnish: coarse sea salt

• a green-bean frencher (optional)

• an adjustable-blade slicer

How to make Seafood Salad with Fennel and Green Beans

Bring an 8-quart pot three-quarters full of salted water to a boil.

While water is heating, force beans, stem ends first, through frencher (see cooks' note, below). Cook beans in boiling water, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then immediately transfer with a slotted spoon (reserving cooking water) to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking. Drain beans in a colander, then pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.

Return water to a boil, then plunge lobster headfirst into water and cook over high heat, covered, 8 minutes from time it enters water. Transfer lobster with tongs to a shallow baking pan. Reserve water in pot.

While lobster is boiling, coarsely chop tomatoes with onion in a food processor. Transfer to a large bowl and add vinegar and 1/2 teaspoons salt. Let stand 15 minutes. Cut fennel into paper-thin slices with slicer and stir into tomato mixture along with 1 1/2 tablespoons oil.

Return water in pot to a boil. Add prawns and simmer until just cooked through, about 3 minutes, then transfer to pan with lobster, reserving cooking water. Add scallops to pot and simmer until just cooked through, about 3 minutes, then transfer to pan with lobster and prawns. Discard cooking water.

When cool enough to handle, remove meat from lobster tail and claws using kitchen shears, catching juices in pan. Working over pan, remove shells from prawns. Discard lobster and prawns shells. Cut prawns in half lengthwise and devein. Cut lobster meat and scallops into 1/2-inch pieces. Transfer seafood to a bowl and pour juices from pan through a fine-mesh sieve over seafood. Toss seafood with pepper and remaining 1/2 tablespoons oil and 1/4 teaspoons salt, then add to fennel mixture along with basil and green beans, tossing well.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.