Twice-Baked Lobster Stuffed Potatoes

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Position the rack in the middle of the oven.

Place the lobsters in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes—this will put the lobsters to sleep. Fill a large pot with water and add enough salt so the water tastes like seawater, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Fill a very large bowl with ice and water.

Working with one lobster at a time, in one decisive motion, plunge a chef’s knife into and all the way through the lobster’s head (so the head is halved). Break down the lobster by removing the claws and the tail. Crack open the carcass, and you will find green lobster roe. Set the roe aside. Repeat with the other lobster. Discard the lobster carcasses or save to make lobster stock later.

Add the lobster tails to the boiling water and cook for 3 minutes; add in the claws and cook for an additional 6 to 7 minutes; the tails will take 9 to 10 minutes. Remove the lobster from the boiling water and set aside. Once cool, crack the claws and tails and remove the meat. Quarter the tails lengthwise and chop. Cut the claw meat in half and chop it into pieces the same size as the tail meat.

In a small bowl or a mini food processor, combine the reserved lobster roe and 4 tablespoons butter and mix together or pulse until thoroughly combined. Set aside.

Poke holes in the potatoes, place them on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake for about 45 minutes, or until just soft. You can bake the potatoes while you prepare the lobsters. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly; leave the oven on. Cut off the tops of the potatoes and discard. Carefully, without breaking the skin, scoop the potato flesh into a bowl. Mash the potatoes and set aside.

In a small sauté pan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat and cook until the milk solids sink to the bottom of the pan and turn hazelnut brown and the butter starts to smell nutty, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the rosemary and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the scallions and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Transfer the rosemary-scallion butter to the bowl with the mashed potatoes and add the crème fraîche, 3/4 cup Gruyère, lobster meat, and lobster butter. Mix until thoroughly combined. Add 1 tablespoon heavy cream and mix until incorporated. Add more heavy cream if needed to achieve the desired consistency, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Spoon the potato-lobster mixture into the potato shells and place them in a baking pan. Sprinkle the potatoes with the remaining cheese and bake until the potatoes are hot and bubbling, about 12 to 15 minutes. Top with the extra crème fraiche and scallions, and serve.