Lobster macaroni and cheese

For the Lobsters

• 2 whole live 1.5 lb. Lobsters
  
• 3 Tablespoons Distilled Vinegar
  
• 1 Gallon Boiling Water
  

• 2 Tablespoons Whole Butter
  ½ of a Small onion finely diced
  
• 1 ea bay leaf
  
• ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  
• 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
  
• 1-quart whole milk
  
• ½ lb. grated Fontina cheese
  
• 6 oz. Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
  
• 6 tablespoons chopped black truffle
  
• 6 teaspoons black truffle oil
  
• Salt and white pepper to taste
  
• Fresh bread crumbs as needed
  

For the Lobster

1. Place the lobsters in a large stockpot that has a tight fitting lid or cover.
   
   
2. Bring the water and vinegar to a full boil.
   
   
3. Pour the boiling water over the lobsters and cover for approximately 3 minutes.
   
   
4. Remove the lobsters from the water, and remove the tails and claws.
   
   
5. Return the claws to the water for an additional 5 minutes, then remove.
   
   
6. Remove the meat from the tails and claws and dice into medium pieces
   
   
7. The bodies can be cleaned of the gills and used for a bisque or stock.
   
   

1. Over medium heat melt the butter and slow sweat the onions until they are translucent.
   
   
2. Add the flour to form a roux.
   
   
3. Add the milk and bring to a simmer. Then add the bay leaf and nutmeg.
   
   
4. Adjust the consistency with more milk if sauce is too thick.
   
   
5. Simmer for 15 minutes then strain out the bay leaf and onion using a fine mesh strainer.
   
   
6. Incorporate the cheese, season with salt if necessary and cool.

1. Weight out 2.5 ounces lobster meat, 2 ounces Cheese Sauce and 1.5 ounces pasta.
   
   
2. Combine in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of black truffle and ½ tsp black truffle oil.
   
   
3. Turn the mixture into an oven safe dish and place into a 325-degree oven for ten minutes.
   
   
4. After ten minutes stir the mixture, cover with the breadcrumbs and return to the oven for another 5 minutes.
   
   
5. Serve

About Andrew Cain:

A graduate of the New York's prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Cain's background includes stints at some of the country's finest including La Folie, San Francisco, Chef de Partie positions at Michele Richard's Citronelle, the unparalleled French Laundry and Michael Mina's named San Francisco establishment as well as Sonoma's El Dorado Kitchen.

At The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa resort, Chef Cain will oversee a staff of 17 professionals balancing his time between the creative and business side of the restaurant operation.

Cain resides in Sonoma County; during his time off he enjoys fishing, gardening and in true Sonoma fashion brewing his own beer.

About Santé Restaurant:

Santé at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn is the only Michelin rated dining room in the Sonoma Valley, the handsome dining room offers the ultimate wine and food experience with innovative locally inspired cuisine paired with award-winning wines and handsome Wine Country surroundings.

The restaurant has also earned designations from Zagat, Wine Spectator and AAA Four Diamond. Literally meaning "to your health," the restaurant is a celebration of innovative California cuisine and good taste

It's the Inn's premier dining room and has earned a national reputation for its outstanding food. Condé Nast Traveler said 'it's worth a special trip just to eat here' and Gourmet Magazine calls the food 'the best of the new Wine Country style.'

Only the freshest local produce, meats, poultry and seafood are used to create elegantly simple dishes that let the natural flavors of the food speak for themselves.

A wine list, honored with Wine Spectator's 'Award of Excellence' features over 500 Sonoma and Napa wines.

About Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa:

Renowned for natural mineral waters, unparalleled charm and gracious service, The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is located 40 miles north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge in the famed Sonoma Valley, the heart of Northern California's wine country.

A recipient of both the AAA-Four Diamond and Mobil-Four Star Award, the resort consistently provides the country's finest European spa experience.

For more information, visit www.fairmont.com/sonoma

DINING DEAL!
Santé at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
100 Boyes Blvd.
Sonoma, CA 95476
Telephone: (707) 938-9000