Fancy seafood

You know that whole branzino you see on every fancy menu? It’s pretty easy to prepare at home.

Lobster Thermidor Makes 4 servings 2 X 1 ¼ pound live lobsters 1 ½ cups whole milk 2 bay leaves 2 sprigs fresh tarragon ½ onion 8 black peppercorns 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 large shallot, minced ½ cup dry white wine 2 tablespoons brandy 2 teaspoons Dijon

You will definitely have extra infused butter leftover but it will be perfect for other things and it stays good for a couple of weeks in the fridge.

In this homage to a classic dish at Grand Central Oyster Bar in New York, scallops are quickly poached in a creamy, piquant tomato sauce that’s spiked with Worcestershire and celery seed. If you want to work a little ahead, you can make the sauce through Step 2, and leave it in the pan, covered for an hour or two. Reheat it before adding the scallops in Step 3. Then serve the scallops right away, with some bread or rice to soak up every last drop of the herby, savory sauce.