Lobster Q & A

By: Anne Clarke
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:17:43
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

Are you interested in cooking lobster for yourself? Why only order lobster from a restaurant when you cook one for yourself at home? Here are some questions and answers that will help guide you in your plans of cooking a lobster.

Q: Why must the lobster be alive when you cook it?

A: Technically, you do not have to throw a live lobster into the pot to boil to death. But it is important that the lobster is recently deceased because lobsters decay very quickly after death and can therefore present health risks.

Q: Which is the most humane way to kill a lobster?

A: Many people say that plunging a heavy chef’s knife into the back of a lobster’s head is the most humane way to kill it. Of course, whether you kill it this way or by sticking it head first into boiling water, the lobster may very well continue to flop around for a bit after death, and this can be disturbing. Just realize that with all meats that we humans eat, the animal has to have died beforehand. And although you may find it more difficult to do the killing yourself, you must know that the lobster was going to come to its end somehow.

Q: How do I cook a lobster?

A: You can either boil or steam your lobster. To boil a lobster, fill a large lobster pot ? full of salted water (1 tablespoon of salt per quart of water). Bring this to a rolling boil and then place the lobster or lobsters into the pot, making sure that you completely submerge them. Cook 1 to 2 pound lobsters for around 18 minutes and 2+ pound lobsters for 22-25 minutes. If you choose to steam your lobsters, place only 2 inches of salted water into a large pot. Place your lobsters into the pot and cover it tightly. They should be cooked for the same time as listed above. The pigment of the lobster will trun from brown and greenish-blue to a bright red and red-brown after cooking.

Q: How do I eat a lobster?

A: Be sure to let the lobster first cool after cooking. Then twist the large claws off at the joints and crack the claws with a nutcracker or a small hammer. Then bend the body back away from the tail until it cracks and you can remove the tail. Break off the flippers of the tail and push the tail meat out of the tail in one piece. Then be sure to take out the black vein of the tail and to get rid of it. Discard the green lobster liver (or save it to use in sauces). Realize that there will be meat in the four cavities where the small legs join the body and also in the small walking legs of larger lobsters. Most people enjoy eating their lobster meat dipped in melted butter.

Q: Wait a minute… what exactly is a lobster?

A: Lobster are members of the decapod (ten feet) family. There are two types of lobster found in the United States. The northern “American” lobster is the basic kind of lobster that is found on the East Coast and the spiny lobster found off the coast of Florida. The spiny lobster does not have any claws and it is only a distant relative to the northern lobster. The shovel nose lobster has a flattened face and is found in tropical waters. Freshwater lobster (also called crayfish) are very colorful. There are actually more than 30 varieties of lobster that can be found throughout the whole world.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, cooking, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on lobsters and other meats, please visit Big Sky Filet Mignon.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Cooking category

  • Looking for a Great Meal Idea? Try Ordering Fresh Seafood Online! - By: Shannon Linnen
    Ordering fresh seafood online can be a great way to get the fresh seafood that you want without having to go to the store. Instead of being caught two weeks ago, you can get the freshest fish possible, caught yesterday and shipped right to your door. It sounds silly to think that your 'fresh' fish has probably spent at least a week in a warehouse or refrigerated truck, but it's true.
  • Baking Information for Beginner Chefs - By: Japinder Singh
    Baking can be an intimidating process when one is first learning. Images of smoke pouring out of the oven and rock hard rolls can haunt thoughts of preparing a Thanksgiving dinner. But have no fear; there are a few simple ways to avoid the confusion and stress that comes with baking. The first key is to gain a basic understanding of what you are looking to make such as ingredients, and the baking process.
  • Fresh Live Lobsters Whenever you Want Them - By: Rex Magnum
    There are so many delicious recipes that you can make with fresh live lobsters that you'll be sure to impress your family, neighbors and friends. Why not try a nice light lobster bisque on a chilly fall night? A lobster bake is the perfect meal for a large amount of guests. And when you're having an intimate get together, pair your lobster with our set of bibs and claw crackers, and let everyone crack right into their own lobster!
  • Smoked Salmon Gift Sets Make Great Presents - By: Rex Magnum
    smoked salmon gift sets are a great way to set your gift apart this holiday season, while treating your family to an indulgent gift. It's not only a healthy option for family, but for your wallet as well. At Smoked Salmon Delivered, we've created gift sets that have something for everyone, and are sure to impress everyone you sent them out to this year.
  • Fresh Live Lobster Makes A Great Gift - By: Rex Magnum
    Fresh lobster is the best. There are so many different dishes that taste great with lobster. And cracking open a freshly steamed lobster is one of life's great pleasures. Unless you live close to a coast however, it's unlikely it's a pleasure you get to indulge in often. Sure, most grocery store offer 'live' lobster, but they're usually old and sickly by the time they reach your store, and they're over prices.
  • Smoked Salmon Gift Sets are a Unique Gift - By: Rex Magnum
    Smoked salmon is something that everyone loves to eat, but that we all feel a little guilty about indulging in because of the price. But what you didn't know was that by ordering online, you can save a bundle. This means that your family are going to get the snacks that they love, you'll get to save some serious cash, and they'll never know. It's a great way to be the hit of the family Christmas party without breaking the bank!
  • Undertake 9 Guidelines You are Always Looking for Cooking - By: IK SERVE
    If you are as busy as most people you are always looking for ways to feed your family in convenient, fast, yet not-too-expensive ways. Try the following suggestions: 1. Cooking several meals for the week at one time. It may take a few hours of your time up front but will pay off in the long run when you come home each evening and have a meal ready to
  • Fresh Smoked Salmon is Fantastic! - By: Rex Magnum
    Smoked salmon is indeed a pleasure. Of course you can pick it up at the grocery store, but that old packaged fish can't really compare to the delights of fresh smoked salmon. Sometimes, it's actually even another fish! A holiday party with family and friends can be well complimented by a buffet that centers around delicious smoked salmon. And it's easy for you to order everything you'll need online, without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home.
  • Ring in the New Year with a Smoked Salmon Gift Basket - By: Rex Magnum
    When you want to impress the inlaws without busting your budget, a smoked salmon gift basket is a surefire way to go with your gift giving. Smoked salmon is seen as a luxury, and imagine everyone's surprise when it's delivered right to their home, right in time for a perfect holiday brunch.
  • Dining in Benidorm - By: Larry Austin
    As Benidorm draws in millions of visitors from all corners of the globe, it is understandable that the restaurants in the locality reflect this by offering a comprehensive choice of cuisine. From fast-food and seafood, to fine dining and delicious local delicacies, travellers will find that they are often stuck for choice.