Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Buying And Preparing Live Lobster At Home

By Debra Schmidt


A seafood meal is considered the epitome of classy and luxurious cuisine. People spend top dollar on restaurant meals just to get the chance to sample fare like live lobster as it is meant to be cooked. In reality, making a meal with this primary entree proves to be relatively simple and quick. It just takes some common sense approaches and some consideration to safety and sanitation, much the same that anyone would pay before fixing and eating any kind of food. People keen to prepare this dish at home can do so by using these suggestions.

Before anyone can prepare the entree, they must have the main ingredient. Lobsters are sold pretty much everywhere now, even in states where seafood is not harvested or produced locally. The fact that lobsters are sold everywhere, however, does not mean that every merchant is worthy of someone's business. People are advised to check out the crustacean tank for cleanliness, as well as the entire store for sanitation and safety standards. If the tank or the store looks dirty, people might shop elsewhere.

Another tip for purchasing involves making sure that the crustaceans are healthy looking and free from any signs of injury or illness. If the lobsters are listless or if they look like they have been injured, they may be avoided in favor of others in the tank. If all of them look ill, shoppers may find it better to do business at an other grocery store.

Because it is considered a luxury ingredient, stores are known to sometimes charge premium prices for lobsters. People can still get a good deal by shopping around and comparing prices, however. Some stores might run specials or charge less than their competitors.

After they buy one and take it home, they might do well to refrigerate it for several hours if they are not yet ready to start cooking. The cold of the fridge puts lobsters into hibernation. They can stay in there for several hours safely.

To prepare them, individuals may do well to bring a stock pot full of water to a boil. The water can be seasoned with salt and other spices if preferred. Once the water is boiling, people can then gently lower their lobsters into the pot. As they boil, these crustaceans will turn a bright red color. Boiling times vary; however, it is typically recommended that the meal boils for at least 12 to 15 minutes per one pound. This cooking time can be longer if the lobsters are bigger.

If the person cooking does not want the seasoned water to go to waste, he or she can also add potatoes, corn on the cob, and other side foods in with the crustaceans being boiled. These other foods can be added at the midway point of boiling. People can eat the extra sides with their main meal.

Using these strategies, people can cook a lobster that is live for dinner. The process tends to be quicker than people realize. They may also add some extras like corn and potatoes to round out the rest of the meal.




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