You’re telling me you want Maine Lobster. Lucky you, you’ve come to the right place. Allow me to set your table.
Before we dig in to that sweet, juicy, mouth-watering bite of warm buttered lobster, a word to the wise: Bigger isn’t necessarily better. It just means bigger, and oftentimes, bitter. The sweet spot is 1 1/2 lbs, give or take, and if you like the delectable red roe (coral), a female is for you.
Call our local seafood market before 5 pm, and they’ll steam ‘em for you or call our friends at the Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound, and they’ll ship ‘em live to your door.
Now, in terms of cook time, we’re getting into some well-charted waters. Boil or steam is up to you, I won’t judge (steam ‘em), but the cook time is the key. Personally, I don’t like my tail still wiggly or lobster Tatar so if it’s over or under you ask, I say err on the side of over.
But when in doubt, take Mark Bittman’s word in How to Cook Everything:
Plunge the lobster(s) into the pot, cover, and cook about 8 minutes for its first pound—from the time the water returns to the boil—and then an additional 3-4 minutes per pound thereafter…Lobster is done when the meat becomes opaque and firm, and the coral—which you only find in females—turns, well, coral-colored (it stays dark red until it is cooked). None of this does you any good if the lobster is whole, since you can’t see or feel the meat or the coral.
Welcome to the Holy Grail of lobster.
Here’s my tip of the day: When ordering for your family, don’t drive yourself crazy getting different sizes for each member. Go with one size. It’s easier to nail the cook time down and us New Englanders don’t mind sharing body parts as some prefer the tails over the claws (but that’s just crazy).
If you want to learn more about a loved one, watch them eat a lobster. Some don’t like to get their fingers dirty while others will lobster-body shame you with a stare that says: “If you’re not gonna eat that, then pass it over, buddy.” Nothing is wasted.
ACTION PLAN: Want to live the good “retirement” life rather than just “get” by? Hang with me and we’ll set sail monthly here.
Oh, and I almost forgot, Prosecco or Champagne? Yes.
Enjoy the cruise.
