1 week Ago By [email protected] (Cara J Suppa)
Whole lobsters, while intimidating to eat at first, are like any shellfish. It takes some work to get to the good stuff, but it's so worthwhile. Rather than , if you can find a reputable seafood monger or fish market near you, that'll likely be the way to go.
Before you bring it home, , give it a boil, and crack open the shells to get to all the lobster meat inside, though, you might want to consider what you'll serve it with — namely, sauces if you're eating it plain. We recently had a chance to talk about the topic with Curt Brown, lobsterman and Marine Biologist at (one of Maine's largest seafood wholesalers) and board member of the . "When I want to spice things up a little," said Brown.
"I'll whip up a quick Bang Bang sauce: just mayo and sweet Thai chili sauce in a 1:1 ratio with some sriracha and honey. Adds a nice little kick but doesn't overwhelm the lobster." It makes sense — Bang Bang sauce, after all, is usually associated with shrimp, another shellfish that has a light, delicate flavor that compliments the sweet, spicy notes.
Other simple dips for lobster "Steamed lobster meat is so sweet and tender," Brown continued. "So in my view, less is more when it comes to sauces. My go-to for steamed lobster is fresh squeezed lemon.
Something about the acidity of the lemon just makes the sweetness of the lobster pop." And what about butter, that old standby, typically served clarified for dipping your lobster into? Have you ever considered sticking with a good thing but elevating it? There's no end to the flavor combinations. You could, for example, combine the bright, citrus flavor of lemon into the velvety lusciousness of melted butter.
Or mix in garlic and an herb, like parsley, rosemary or tarragon. Or capture the for a sweet umami-bomb of a take on Asian flavors (like the Bang Bang sauce), with an assist by honey and lime juice. Recommended.
