This is a pretty traditional rendition of the classic, although I do shell the lobster. If you want to make it with the shells, cut the tails in half and crack the claws and knuckles. Fish out all the meat from the body and legs and mix that in the sauce.
1 to 3fresh red chiles, like Fresno or jalapeno, chopped (optional)
1tablespoontomato paste
1/2cupvermouth or white wine
2cupsseafood stock
1teaspooncayenne,or to taste
1teaspoondried oregano
28ouncecan of crushed tomatoes
Salt and black pepper to taste
1poundlobster meat,cut into chunks
2tablespoonschopped fresh basil or parsley(or more to taste)
1poundspaghetti
Instructions
If you're going to make the optional lobster broth, sauté the onion, carrot and fennel bulb about 5 minutes over medium-high heat, then add the lobster shells. Crush the shells with a potato masher or somesuch while they cook. Let them cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes. Add the bay leaves and anise seed and cover with about 1 quart of water. Simmer this about 45 minutes, or until reduced by half. Strain and reserve.
Get a large pot of water boiling and add enough salt to make it salty. Drop the heat to a simmer and proceed.
To make the sauce, sauté the onion in the olive oil over medium-high heat until the onion is just starting to brown on the edges, about 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and chiles and cook another minute or three.
Stir in the tomato paste and let that cook for 2 minutes, stirring almost constantly. Pour in the vermouth or white wine and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits in the pan. Add the remaining ingredients (including the reserved stock), except for the lobster and the fresh basil. Bring to a simmer, taste for salt, and let this simmer 20 minutes.
Now you want to boil your pasta. It'll be ready when the sauce is now.
Add the lobster and let this cook about 10 minutes, just until the chunks are cooked through. Stir in the basil or parsley and, if you want, add some lemon. Serve over the pasta.