Posts Tagged ‘live lobster’
Can You Cook Live Lobsters Humanely?
Many people object to the common practice of cooking a live lobster by plunging it into boiling water. Those with tender hearts and animal rights philosophies are concerned about the pain the animal experiences and advocate more humane ways of creating lobster dinners.
Scientists have searched for information regarding the amount of pain a lobster is capable of feeling. Lobster lovers everywhere may be surprised at what they found.
A lobster cannot feel pain the way humans know it. Its nervous system is too undeveloped, and its tiny, simple brain is only a bunch of nerve endings. The brain of a lobster is about the size of a grasshopper’s brain and lacks complexity.
Because of this lack, it is also extremely doubtful that a lobster is able to feel pain the way people do. Based on these findings, the practice of cooking live lobsters continues. Three common methods of cooking a live lobster are by steaming, boiling, or grilling.
The method used to steam a lobster starts with putting two inches of seawater or any salted water into the bottom of a four to five gallon pot. This is the ideal configuration for cooking six to eight pounds of lobster. Put a steaming rack into the cold water, and turn the heat on high until the water reaches a rolling boil. Add the lobsters one at a time, put the lid on the pot, and start your timer. It takes about 10 minutes to cook one pound of lobster. A pot of six to eight pounds of lobster will take about an hour to cook. During the cooking time, rearrange the lobsters once.
If you want to boil your live lobsters, add 3 quarts of water to your large pot for every 1 to 2 pounds of lobster. For each gallon of water you end up using, you will need to add one quarter cup of salt. Bring the pot up to a rolling boil. Once again, add the lobsters to the boiling water one at a time. Start timing immediately. One pound of lobster will require 8 minutes of boiling time. Six to eight pounds will take 50 minutes to an hour. Stir the lobsters half way through the cooking time.
Before grilling lobsters, you have to parboil them. Use the same procedure you use when boiling lobsters, but only boil them for five minutes. Remove the lobsters immediately and plunge them into cold water to stop the cooking process, and then drain them thoroughly. On a cutting board, lay a lobster on its back. Split it down the center with a sharp knife and remove both the black vein in the tail and the sand sac near the head. Use butter or oil to baste the lobsters before placing them flesh-side down on the grill for five to six minutes. Turn them over, re-baste, and finish cooking another four or five minutes.
There are still people who shy away from lobsters that are cooked live, but most have come to accept the fact that the lobsters do not suffer. Cooking a live lobster is the way to experience the freshest lobster meat available. Not only can you purchase live lobsters at restaurants and supermarkets, there are also many wonderful online seafood shops that promise the very freshest lobster delivered to your door overnight.
From this article you can learn about live lobsters, however this is a huge topic and can’t explain it all when that would take multiple articles. There is also eating live lobster that we could probably write another 10 articles on. You may also want to check out live lobster denver.
Tags: Food, food and drink, live lobster, Lobster, recipe, seafood
Color of Maine Lobsters: The Truth
What is greenish-brown or black in nature and is loved by many? Don’t know? Another hint, one out of every 30 million of them has a blue shell when they are born. Still don’t know? This would be the Maine lobster.
Black holes or marks on a lobster’s shell are the result of much wear and tear. And these are usually an indication of an older lobster who hasn’t recently shed its shell. Marks or holes are not harmful at all.
The color of the shell has no affect on the lobster’s taste or texture. When you cook it, all the color pigments are hidden, except for the red. That is why your lobster will become a beautiful red tone when it is completely cooked.
These gems can be broiled, steamed, baked, or grilled. You will find the white meat in the tail, claws, and knuckles. Meat can also be found within the body and the legs.
The red contents in the tail section are the roe, or female eggs. This is considered a delicacy, like caviar. The green matter is located at the section of the body and tail and is called tomalley, the liver, and has a peppery taste. This is used in various recipes.
Eating tomalley on a regular basis is not recommended. Contaminants may settle in the liver, as it does with other animals, so it is best to refrain from too much.
Maine lobsters are both healthy and nutritious. Remember, not too much butter! This seafood has less calories, saturated fats, and calories than lean beef, pork, or skinless chicken. A great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, lobster helps prevent hardening of the arteries and risk of heart disease.
Maine lobster will make any occasion a special time for celebrating. Maine lobster is sweet, succulent, and delicious. Remember, looking for fresh Main lobsters? Don’t look for something that is red to begin with, look for the lobsters that are greenish-brown orblack to be sure of getting the Maine lobster that you are sure to enjoy!
From this article you can learn about lobsters, but it is just too big of a topic and can’t really be covered in one sitting. There is also lobster tail so there is alot more of this topic that we could go over. You may also want to check out live lobster delivered.
Tags: Food, food and drink, live lobster, Lobster, recipe, seafood
A Fun And Easy Clambake At Home
Summer time is a great time to have fun, and the best way to have fun is to invite your friends and family over for a clambake. Seafood cooked over a fire, some exotic drinks, brightly colored decorations, and appropriate music make for a great time for all.
But, when the weather is not fine, or even when winter hits, why not hold a clambake at home? What a great way to bring the feeling of summer to a cold winter day! And it’s a fun, easy and healthy way of entertainment.
Instead of having the same old clambake, think of having a super deluxe clambake which will surely make your guests happy as it comprises a variety of foods. Just buy some fresh shellfish, clams, live lobster, mussels, shrimp and if you want, some crabs. You can also consider having clam chowder or lobster bisque with corn on the cob and some roasted potatoes.
Furthermore, besides the food for your super deluxe clambake at home, you will want to have a good supply of bibs on hand, claw crackers, lots and lots of napkins, and a good supply of pre-moistened towlettes. Seafood is delicious but it can mess things up.
Traditionally, clambakes are cooked over an open fire in a two to three feet deep pit on the beach but since you are preparing the clambake indoors, all you need for cooking are traditional indoor stove tops. Yes, it is quite easy.
The only special equipment you need to complete the cooking is a stock pot. These are available in different sizes and some come with a steamer rack and basket. They can be found in many cooking supply shops and on the Internet stores. While looking for your stock pot on the Internet, why don’t you run an additional search for an indoor clambake recipe that sounds good?
There are also many super deluxe clambake kits available that would surely help make your clambake preparation a lot easier. Most of these kits usually have everything you need like cloth napkins, wet naps, claw crackers, and the food itself. These helpful kits are also found on the Internet. With these things, all you need to do is to purchase fresh vegetables and you’re all set for a clambake party.
Though having a clambake at home is not the typical and traditional clambake event that we know and love, it doesn’t mean right away that your party is going to be boring. Just make sure that you use your creativity, be a good host, and your guests will be assured of great food and entertainment.
Tags: clambake, cooking, Food, live lobster, Lobster, lobster clambake, new england clambake, seafood, shellfish, Shrimp
New England Style Clambake – A Unique and Healthy Feast
A New England style clambake could be just the answer. This traditional Northeastern celebration is gaining popularity outside the New England region for being a unique, healthy, and festive gathering idea. The method of cooking, originally practiced by Native Americans, quickly became tradition.
Nowadays, the popularity of the New England clambake has spread all over the coast, and inland areas as well. This unique gathering idea actually started as a way to prepare the bountiful seafood that the fishermen caught from the Atlantic Ocean.
Seafood at a New England clambake is prepared traditionally by steaming but some people prefer to cook it on a grill. This food includes live lobster or lobster bisque, scallops, shrimp, shellfish, mussels, clams and clam chowder, corn on the cob, potatoes, onions, and carrots. The steaming process can take as little as a few hours to an entire day depending upon the taste. Once the steaming is over, the food is served with lemon wedges and butter.
One of the reasons why lots of party people opt for a clambake is because its fresh and different. It’s somehow considered as unique from all of the dinner parties people usually attend. With a new gathering idea for an option, guests would surely be glad to be part of the event.
Known for its low content of calories and fats, the main dish is seafood. Your meal is prepared through steaming, not breaded or fried, which reduces its calories further. Another good thing about a New England clambake is that the food served is considerably healthy, unlike barbecues and cookouts. Finally, side dishes are vegetables, which makes it even better. Individuals on strict diets will surely find something to eat during the celebration.
Your clambake can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it. The simplest clambake meal can be prepared in a home steamer indoors, but does not truly capture the proper atmosphere. The best clambakes are usually held outdoors, where your guests can see and possibly participate in the cooking.
The success of the New England style clambake has been confirmed over generations. It can successfully be adapted to any celebration, whatever the size and style. A super deluxe clambake will not only place you in the mainstream of this historical tradition, but also earn you a place in the fond memories of your friends and guests.
With the New England style clambake, your partying is much more fun than ever before – and you don’t even have to be in New England to enjoy it. Thanks to the modern technology, specifically the Internet, as it made delivery of fresh seafood conveniently possible. Now, you can have the best clambake festival ever, anytime and anywhere you want it.
Tags: clambake, cooking, Food, live lobster, Lobster, lobster clambake, new england clambake, seafood, shellfish, Shrimp
