Lobster Sauce

• 3 pieces star anise
• 1 tablespoon white peppercorns
• Shells from 1 lobster, optional
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 rib celery, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 fennel bulb, chopped
• 1 cup cognac
• 4 cups lobster, fish, or seafood stock
• 1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces

1. Wrap star anise, peppercorns, and, if desired, lobster shells in a piece of cheesecloth, and tie with kitchen string; set aside.
2. Heat 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add carrot and next 3 ingredients; cook 8 minutes or until tender.
3. Deglaze pan with cognac. Cook 10 minutes or until reduced to 1/4 cup.
4. Add lobster stock and spice bundle. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 20 to 30 minutes or until reduced by half. Cool slightly.
5. Remove spice bundle; puree vegetable mixture in a blender until smooth. Strain mixture, and return to saucepan; cook over low heat until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat. Whisk in 1/2 cup butter.

anise, white peppercorns, lobster, butter, carrot, celery, onion, fennel bulb, cognac, lobster, butter

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/lobster-sauce (may not work)