How to Cook Lobster

We are usually apprehensive of cooking lobsters at home, and generally pay through the nose for it at a restaurant. They are considered as a delicacy, and there are various ways of preparing them. It can be quite a challenge to prepare them at home. Grilling, steaming, boiling, and pan frying are some typically used cooking methods.

The best way to savor the delicate flavor of a lobster is to prepare it simply, without using too many heavy and pungent spices. To preserve its flavor, it must always be cooked in salty water. Since it has delicate shell, it requires less preparation time. Here is a list of ways you can cook it, along with detailed instructions.

For this, you will require a large saucepan or pot with a lid. Pour enough water in the pan so that the live lobster remains submerged in entirety. Boil the water, and add 2 tablespoons of coarse sea salt for every liter of water. Carefully, put the live lobster into the boiling water and cover with the lid.

After about 5 minutes, lift the lid and gently move the lobster so that it is cooked uniformly. Generally, it takes 10 minutes to cook, for the first pound; and additional 3 minutes, for each extra pound. Once it is cooked, drain the water out. Crack its tails and claws, with a cracker or the blunt side of a knife to get the meat.

For this, you will require a steamer basket, which is generally made up of wood; and a large pot. Fill the pot with water and add some salt. Arrange the steamer basket over the pot with the lobster in it. Cover the pot with a lid.

The steam from the pot will cook the lobster. Once cooked, remove it from the steamer and allow it to cool. For additional flavor, you can add celery, carrots, ginger, garlic, and cinnamon to the steaming water.

For this, you need to first prepare the lobster by splitting it lengthwise into two. Clean it by removing the viscera and the veins. Now crack the claws, and grill the lobster with the shell side down, by brushing some butter over it. Grill on one side for 2 minutes, and turn on the other side, until it is uniformly cooked.

Here are two mouth-watering recipes that you can try at home.

Ingredients

• Lobster, 750 g
• Onion, 1 (medium)
• Celery, 1
• Carrots, 2
• Butter, 100 g
• Zest of 2 limes
• Coriander, 2 tbsp. (finely chopped)
• Chives, 2 tbsp. (finely chopped)

Method
In a small bowl, blend together the butter, chives, coriander, and lime zest. In a large pot, add carrots, celery, and onions with water and bring to a boil. Now, put the lobster into the pot of boiling water, and let it cook for 5 minutes. Drain it from water and then let it rest for some time. Crack open the lobster half lengthwise.

Remove its claws and extract the meat. Now, spoon in a little bit of butter, chive the mixture on its shell, and grill it for 3 to 4 minutes until it is done. To serve, place two lobsters, split lengthwise one over the other, and serve with a sprinkling of coriander, along with lemon wedges.

Ingredients

• Lobster, 750 g
• Red onions, 2 (medium-sized and finely chopped)
• Spring onions, 4 tbsp. (finely sliced)
• Ginger, 2 tsp. (diced)
• Gherkins, 2 tbsp. (pickled and finely sliced)
• Black pepper, 1 tsp. (freshly ground)
• Parsley leaves, 2 tbsp. (finely chopped)
• Extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp.
• Mustard sauce, 4 tbsp.
• Sea salt, ½ tsp.

Method
In a large pot, put the lobster in boiling salted water for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove it from the pot, drain, and keep aside until it gets cooled. Now twist the tails, and crack them with the back of a cleaver.

Extract the meat and keep it aside. In a medium glass bowl, combine mustard sauce, red onions, salt, ginger, gherkins, and spring onions. To this, add the meat and gently mix together. Serve in small salad bowls, drizzled with olive oil and black pepper.

It is always better to go for a live lobster, instead of frozen variety. Ensure that you do not overcook it; otherwise, you will lose its delicious sweet flavor, and the meat may become stringy and dry.