Brown Butter Lobster with Kale Pesto Polenta and Cherry Tomato Bacon Pan Sauce.

Brown Butter Lobster with Kale Pesto Polenta and Cherry Tomato Bacon Pan Sauce. Wow.

Now if that isn’t a proper title than I don’t know what is. I’m showing my old school Half Baked Harvest colors today and bringing you guys a recipe with the longest title ever (any long time readers know just what I’m talking about), which naturally includes the most delicious flavor profile.

Again brown butter lobster with polenta and tomatoes. I really don’t even need to say anything more…but of course I will, because it’s me, and you all know how I love to ramble, especially on Mondays. Speaking of which, happy Monday! Are you guys ready for the week ahead?! After a busy weekend, I am ready to dive back into work today and into some fun projects, recipes, and then of course that inbox of mine that I semi fear at times. Kai is coming home from Mexico on Thursday for a week to film new recipes videos, so if you guys have any requests, please leave them in the comments. We’re planning on working on late summer and early fall recipes, so let me know what you’d like to see!

This means I am trying my best to work ahead so that I can focus solely on video content while he is here. Because when our week is up, it’s straight back to Mexico for that kid until September. And yes, I do still think it’s crazy he is living in Mexico (he’s in Puerto Vallarta for three months for those who are wondering), but he’s 21 and living his life to the best of his abilities.

Anyways, in a quick little ramble, that’s what’s happening over here this week. I’ll leave out all the boring not so fun details…cause it’s Monday, and we need all the positive energy we can get today!

OK, let’s talk recipes! More specifically, this lobster recipe. I mean, honestly everything that’s amazing about this recipe is listed in the title because it’s all so good that I just couldn’t bear to leave anything out. It’s everything together. It’s truly just a perfect summertime meal.

I don’t even know where to start. I have so much to say….ahh, yikes.

Let’s go with the lobster. Oh man, is there anything better than lobster with butter? Um, YES, lobster with browned butter. You guys know how much I love this combo from previous summers. See this Brown Butter Lobster, Bacon + Crispy Kale and Fontina Pasta, this Brown Butter Lobster and Spinach Pizza, and these Avocado Lobster Burgers w/Browned Butter Lemon Aioli + Basil Corn Salsa. Please excuse the photos that go along with these posts, they are older recipes and I didn’t know what I was doing back then…but I promise, the recipes are still amazing. You see, lots of browned butter and lobster recipes, but the combo just never gets old, it’s too good!

So that’s what I did here with today’s lobster, but while there is browned butter involved, this recipe it totally different from any of the previous recipes. That’s thanks to those sweet cherry tomatoes in the browned butter sauce. I am mildly obsessed with cherry tomatoes this summer. I love heating them in a hot skillet and allowing them to burst and create a sauce, it’s fantastic. I also added some bacon to the sauce for a savory salty flavor, which I find balances really nicely with the sweet tomatoes and lobster. If you’re not a bacon fan however, you can easily leave the bacon out.

And that’s the lobster.

But you can’t do lobster without a good side. Or at least that’s my opinion. So in comes the creamy, cheesy polenta, topped with my most favorite kale pesto (I’ve literally been using this in recipes every week lately). If you like creamy, cheesy things this is totally for you. I made things super easy and used an instant polenta, tossed in some truffle gouda cheese (this is amazing and I highly recommend it, I got mine from Whole Foods) and then topped it with the kale pesto. Not only is this great for flavor, but it also adds a really nice pop of color…and of course some greens…because you know, it is Monday, and it might be nice if we ate some kale. <–because kale makes this meal 100% healthified. I just love the way my Monday brain works.

Anyway, can’t you see it…this is the perfect summertime meal! And I am fully aware this is not salad. I know that I should maybe be showing you some type of salad on a Monday, and I’m sure that will happen, but I prefer that Mondays be super fun, and this recipe is just that. You can make it tonight and it will be ready in under an hour, or save it for a special Friday or Saturday night and pair it with a fun cocktail or glass of wine.

Either way, it’s going to be perfect, and my fingers are crossed that you guys will love it as much as I do.

OKok, now ending the longest Monday post ever with a big goodbye!

Watch the How To Video:

Brown Butter Lobster with Kale Pesto Polenta and Cherry Tomato Bacon Pan Sauce

5 from 6 votes

4 servings

by Tieghan Gerard

calories 1199kcal

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Prep20 minutes mins

Cook25 minutes mins

Total45 minutes mins

A lobster main course with a polenta side

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 4 lobster tails sliced in half lengthwise
• ▢ extra virgin olive oil, for the pan
• ▢ 4 strips bacon, chopped
• ▢ 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• ▢ 4 tablespoons butter
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
• ▢ 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• ▢ 1 large handful fresh basil
• ▢ 1 cup kale pesto

Creamy Gouda Polenta

• ▢ 2 cups whole milk
• ▢ 1 cup instant polenta
• ▢ 2 tablespoons butter
• ▢ 1/2 cup shredded truffle gouda or gouda
• ▢ kosher salt and pepper

Instructions 

• 1. To make the kale pesto.

  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Rub each lobster tail with olive oil and then place cut side down in the skillet. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until lightly golden. Flip and continue cooking until the shells turn bright red, about 5 minutes. Remove the tails from the skillet.

  3. To the skillet, add the bacon and cook until crisp. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain onto paper towels. Strain off all but 1 tablespoon of bacon grease from the skillet and return the skillet to medium-high heat. Add the tomatoes, cook until they begin to pop, about 4-5 minutes. Add the butter and allow it to brown, about 3-5 minutes more. Once the butter foams and then turns light golden, remove it from the heat and stir in the garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Add the basil. 

  4. Meanwhile, make the polenta. In a medium saucepan bring 2 cups of water and the milk to a boil over medium heat. Slowly whisk in the polenta, stirring, until the polenta is soft and thick, about 5 minutes. Stir in the butter and cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.

  5. Divide the polenta among bowls and drizzle with kale pesto. Add the lobster tails and then spoon the tomatoes and butter in the pan over the lobster. Sprinkle the bacon over top and garnish with fresh basil. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 1199kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 61g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 185mg | Sodium: 715mg | Potassium: 536mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2510IU | Vitamin C: 17.5mg | Calcium: 478mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.

All I can think is YUM. ..salad has nothing on this dish.