How to Cook Lobster

We are usually apprehensive of cooking lobsters at home and generally pay through our nose at a restaurant. They are considered as a delicacy, and there are various ways of cooking lobsters. How to cook them at home can be quite a challenge. Grilling, steaming, boiling and pan frying are some lobster cooking methods. The best way to savor the delicate flavor of a lobster is to cook it simply, without the use of too many heavy and pungent spices. To preserve the flavor of lobsters, it must always be cooked in salty water. Since lobsters have delicate shell, it requires less cooking time. Here is a list of ways you can cook them with a detailed cooking lobster instructions.

Cooking Lobster by Boiling

If you want to know how to cook live lobsters, then the best way is by boiling. For this you will require a large saucepan or pot with a lid. Pour enough water in the pan, so that the entire lobster remain submerged. 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, and follow the lobster cooking time chart. After about 5 minutes, lift the lid and gently move the lobster, so that it is cooked uniformly. A lobster cooking chart comes in very handy, when you are preparing lobsters by boiling. As a general rule 10 minutes are required to cook a 1 pound lobster and additional 3 minutes are required for each extra pound. Once the lobster is done, drain the water out. Crack the tails and claws of the lobster with a cracker or the blunt side of a knife to get the meat.

Cooking Lobster by Steaming
For cooking lobsters that is succulent and full of flavor, consider steaming it. For this you will require a steamer basket, which is generally made 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 the lobster is done, remove from the steamer and allow to cool. For additional flavor, you can add celery, carrots, ginger, garlic and cinnamon to the steaming water.

How to Cook Lobster by Grilling

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

Easy Lobster Recipes

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

Grilled Lobster with Lime and Butter
Ingredients

• 750 g lobster
• 1 medium onion
• 1 celery
• 2 carrots
• 100 g butter
• zest of 2 limes
• 2 tablespoons coriander, chopped fine
• 2 tablespoons chives, 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 the lobster 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 and chive mixture on the lobster 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.

Asian Lobster Salad
Ingredients

• 750 g lobster
• 2 medium-sized red onions, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons finely sliced spring onions
• 2 teaspoons ginger, diced
• 2 tablespoons pickled gherkins, finely sliced
• 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons parsley leaves, chopped fine
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 4 tablespoons mustard sauce
• ½ teaspoon sea salt

Method

In a large pot, put the lobster in boiling salted water, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the lobster from the pot, drain and keep aside until its cooled. Now twist the tails from the lobster and crack them with the back of a cleaver. Extract the meat and keep it aside. In a medium glass bowl, combine mustard sauce, chopped onions, salt, ginger, gherkins and spring onions. To this, add the lobster meat and gently mix together. Serve in small salad bowls drizzled with olive oil and freshly ground black pepper.

We have seen that there are numerous ways of cooking lobsters. It is always better to go for live lobsters instead of frozen variety. Ensure that you do not overcook the lobster or you will lose its delicious sweet flavor and the meat may become stringy and dry. So the next time you want to prepare a lobster, how to cook it won't seem a problem.