The Different Ways To Prepare Lobster And How To Choose

Lobster is one of the most loved seafood delicacies. As you may or may not know, lobster is a shellfish that can be prepared in several ways, such as steamed, grilled, and broiled. But what makes lobster such a delicacy, and what are some exciting ways that you can prepare it?

The Different Ways To Prepare Lobster And How To Choose
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What Makes Lobster Such A Delicacy?

Lobster is a delicacy because of its taste and texture. Lobsters are not only delicious, but they are also healthy, as they contain high levels of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. In the United States, lobster is a popular seafood dish. It is caught in the Atlantic Ocean and can be found in many coastal areas of Canada, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. In fact, it is so popular that you can have live Maine lobster shipped to your door! While it is considered a luxury food, it can be cooked in various ways, making it a very versatile meat. The meat of the lobster is tender, succulent, and sweet. Lobsters can be boiled, steamed, or baked, making cooking easy.

Do Lobsters Feel Pain When Cooked?

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the preparation and cooking of lobster, as you usually need to boil it alive. Many people are squeamish about cooking live animals, but if you want to eat it safely, you will have to get used to it. By placing the lobsters in the freezer for about 20 minutes, you can quickly put them to sleep before cooking. In this process, the lobster is rendered unconscious before cooking so that it will not feel any pain. A common misconception about lobster is that it screams when put into boiling water. However, due to their lack of vocal cords, lungs, and throats, lobsters are unable to scream. There is no need to worry about the noise because it's caused by air trapped inside the shell escaping.

What Foods Pair Well With Lobster?

Lobster is a special meal and doesn't require a lot of fancy accompaniment. A loaf of French bread, a nice bottle of wine, and a simple salad are the ideal accompaniments. Nevertheless, how you cook them properly lies in infusing them with herbs and spices. There is no right or wrong way to prepare lobsters, and you can cook them as simply as you like according to western cuisine or as elaborately as you want according to Asian cuisine.

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What Are The Different Ways To Prepare Lobster?

There are many ways to prepare lobster, but the most popular way is to boil it. This method is usually followed by using a knife to remove the meat from the tail and claws. The meat can then be seasoned with salt, pepper, butter, and lemon juice. Another popular method to prepare lobster is by grilling it. The lobster should be placed on a grill that has been preheated with charcoal or gas. 

Boiling

Both boiling and steaming are the best methods for preparing a whole lobster for dinner. Boiling cooks the meat more quickly, it can be timed more precisely, and it will come out of the shell more easily than steaming. Boiling is also the quickest and most effective approach for recipes that call for cooked and cleaned meat. 

Moreover, it is generally considered the most traditional way of cooking this shellfish. Nevertheless, there is a certain technique to boil lobster correctly to not turn into rubber when you try to chew it. It is essential to know how to cook lobster because if you don't do it correctly, you will end up wasting a lot of money. The general rule for cooking lobsters is to boil them for 10 minutes per pound so that a 2-pound lobster would cook for about 20 minutes.

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Baking

As an alternative to boiling or steaming, lobster can also be baked in aluminum foil and baked at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes or until the meat is tender enough to pull out of the shell. One advantage of baking over other methods is that you can infuse the lobster with all kinds of herbs and spices and then simply put it in the oven until cooked.

Grilled

The combination of herb, garlic butter, and grilled lobster tails is incredibly delicious. Moreover, it is an effortless way to make a delectable lobster meal. The heat will penetrate the meat, and the butter will season it. A skewer can then be run through the tail to prevent curling. Grilling is best utilized if you want to create a fantastic surf and turf-style dish.

Simple Lobster Recipes

Now that you have learned about some of the techniques to cook lobster, you are probably eager to cook some for yourself. To that end, you can use some of these recipes to get started.

Lobster Cocktail

A lobster cocktail involves boiling the shellfish and then presenting it in a cocktail glass, served on a bed of lettuce and Marie Rose sauce. All you need is the lobster and the ingredients for the sauce, which includes:

Mayonnaise

Tomato ketchup

Cayenne pepper

Tabasco

Worcestershire sauce

Brandy (optional)

Lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

Lobster With Herb & Garlic Butter

Serving it this way is very classical, and when done correctly, it is very delicious. For best results, you will want to grill it, which will give it a charred flavor profile, adding to the overall taste. All you will need is:

Unsalted butter

Garlic

Fresh chives

Fresh thyme

Fresh basil

Lemon zest

Lemon juice

Salt and pepper to taste

Butter Poached Lobster

Butter poached lobster is one of many ways to prepare this delicacy. Poached lobster can be served with butter or garlic butter sauce, lemon wedges, and parsley sprigs. All it takes is butter and your lobster! You can add anything else to taste that you might like, but in most cases, the best policy is simplicity and letting the shellfish do the talking.

There are many ways to prepare lobster, and you should consider whether you want a light, rich or in-between flavor. Nevertheless, simplicity is often the best approach.