Take this lobster roll for example. If you look at the ingredients there’s a lot of chopping, dicing etc… All forced labor! Isn’t it great to be the Chef? You take all the credit and do nuthin’. I love it. Sometimes. Not really. Anyway, i wanted to leave you with some food until i announce the winner this week-end. Enjoy (i hope) my take on the All-American Lobster Roll. Yes i know, there’s proscuitto, capers and other goodies in it. Hmm.. let’s call it a Lobster Rolls-Royce then, or the perfect picnic!

Ooops, as i’m writing this post i realized i screwed up a little bit. Calling the contest a “Mystery Basket Giveaway” when i already revealed what’s in the freakin’ basket is kind of… wrong! Duh! Oh well. Anyway, I’ll make sure to add some mystery to the winning package because the Zen-man loves to be politically correct. Cheers!

• 1 small carrot, coarsely grated
• 1 small celery stalk, coarsely grated
• 1/2 small fennel, coarsely grated
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon chopped cornichons
• 1 tablespoon small capers, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon chopped chives
• 1 teaspoon chopped tarragon
• a few dash of Tabasco
• Salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 8 ounces cooked lobster meat, cut into small chunks
• 4 thin slices proscuitto
• Four hot-dog buns

1. Squeeze the carrot, celery and fennel between your hands to remove the excess liquid; transfer to a medium bowl. Add the mayonnaise, cornichons, capers, lemon juice, mustard, parsley, chives, tarragon, and Tabasco, and season with salt and pepper; mix well to combine. Toss in the lobster chunks and stir until mixed well.
2. Open the hot dog buns and line with a slice of proscuitto and spoon the lobster filling into the center.