In this detailed guide, I will explain step by step how to achieve the perfect lobster cooking. Cooking live lobster is an art that requires attention to detail and a passion for good cooking.
After learning how to cook lobster to perfection, all that’s left is to read the recipes:
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: Expensive
- Rest time: 10 Minutes
- Preparation time: 3 Minutes
- Portions: 2
- Cooking methods: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
- Energy 192.50 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 0.00 (g) of which sugars 0.00 (g)
- Proteins 41.30 (g)
- Fat 1.88 (g) of which saturated 0.45 (g)of which unsaturated 1.29 (g)
- Fibers 0.00 (g)
- Sodium 1,097.50 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 150 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for 2 people
- 1 lobster (about 1.5 lbs)
- 8.5 cups water
Tools
- 1 Pot ( with a capacity of 3 quarts)
- 1 kitchen tongs
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Knife
Preparation
By following these simple tips, you will be able to prepare a lobster dish that will captivate your guests’ palate.
To cook the lobster, start by purchasing fresh and live lobsters to ensure you get the maximum flavor.
For a delicious result, it is not necessary to cook live lobsters. In fact, on the back of the lobster’s shell, there is a point where a small cross is drawn (halfway down the head).
Insert the knife tip there firmly to pierce the lobster.
In this way, the lobster will lose sensitivity, and you can cook it without causing it to suffer.
Put a large pot with plenty of water on the stove over high heat and bring to a boil.
When the water starts boiling, turn it off; the lobster cooks in hot water, which should not boil to prevent damaging the flesh.
Cook the lobster in the water for 7 minutes; after this time, the cooking is perfect, and you just need to focus on cleaning the lobster.
The time indicated is for a medium lobster of about 1.3-1.5 lbs; adjust the time based on the weight of the crustacean.
Once the lobster has cooled, you just have to cut it; at this point, you have two options depending on the recipe you will use it in.
You can
– cut it in two by dividing the head from the tail and using a pair of scissors to divide it in two, or
– cut the lobster lengthwise to get two halves (ideal for cooking linguine with lobster)
While cutting the lobster, remove the sand sack present in the head and the bitter gut in the tail.
Remember to remove the flesh from the claws using a nutcracker, being very careful with the delicate underlying meat, which can break.
Some recipes like Catalan lobster use the flesh in plain sight, so the presentation must be perfect.
The lobster cooking is finished!
Plating Tips:
After cooking the lobster, you can use the shell and head to decorate the pasta dish; if you are using the lobster for a risotto, you can use the head for decoration.
Which Wine to Pair with Lobster:
Lobster pairs perfectly with dry, delicate white wines with a good sparkling component. For example, you can serve the lobster with Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva.
