Lobster - Boil or Steam?
#2
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I like to boil. For no other reason than it's usually got potatoes and corn and carrots in there too. I usually boil a couple of onions, celery, and old bay to season the water first.
If it's lobsters and clams, then I'll steam them, I prefer steamed clams to boiled.
If it's lobsters and clams, then I'll steam them, I prefer steamed clams to boiled.
#4
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A vote for steam. Takes less water, ergo less time to
come to temperature. You have to cook a little longer.
as vapor isn't as efficient transferring the heat, but I
think the total time is less, and the flavor just a bit
more intense.
come to temperature. You have to cook a little longer.
as vapor isn't as efficient transferring the heat, but I
think the total time is less, and the flavor just a bit
more intense.
#6
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#7
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#8
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Steam, if you can.
Less water used as mentioned above. Water becomes steam at 100 C, or 212 F, and cooks quicker (at least in our experience) than the big boiling-up pot.
A few months ago we steam-cooked 9 lobster tails one night that were split with shears, and steamed with potatoes, corn, butter, and lemon in less than 20 minutes. All in one heavy oval alu-core stainless steamer, using 1 cup or less of water. The taste is better, more intense, and not washed out by boiling.
Fantastic !
Less water used as mentioned above. Water becomes steam at 100 C, or 212 F, and cooks quicker (at least in our experience) than the big boiling-up pot.
A few months ago we steam-cooked 9 lobster tails one night that were split with shears, and steamed with potatoes, corn, butter, and lemon in less than 20 minutes. All in one heavy oval alu-core stainless steamer, using 1 cup or less of water. The taste is better, more intense, and not washed out by boiling.
Fantastic !
#9
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Cypress Hills Research Center
Posts: 5,295
LOL.
The same tails can be found at your local supermarket for less. If I buy whole live lobsters at my local Ablertsons I pay about $14/lb for heads, tails, claws and tamale. The heads and shells go into making a broth which I use for risotto and bisque.
Large (1-1.5 lb) frozen/defrosted tails can be had at Costco but I don't remember how much they cost per lb.
The same tails can be found at your local supermarket for less. If I buy whole live lobsters at my local Ablertsons I pay about $14/lb for heads, tails, claws and tamale. The heads and shells go into making a broth which I use for risotto and bisque.
Large (1-1.5 lb) frozen/defrosted tails can be had at Costco but I don't remember how much they cost per lb.
#10
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Northern California
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They were $19.99/lb for years. Last I looked a couple of months ago they were $24.99/lb in NorCal. Still, when we want lobster at home, that's the way we go every time.
#11
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The New England lobster market is FLOODED with lobster this year - way too much lobster, not enough people buying. Even nice restaurants that once charged $20-25 per lobster roll are rolling back to $15.
#12
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Cypress Hills Research Center
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Thats crazy! Coming from Boston, I just bought a few lobsters at the local supermarket for $6.99/lb.
The New England lobster market is FLOODED with lobster this year - way too much lobster, not enough people buying. Even nice restaurants that once charged $20-25 per lobster roll are rolling back to $15.
The New England lobster market is FLOODED with lobster this year - way too much lobster, not enough people buying. Even nice restaurants that once charged $20-25 per lobster roll are rolling back to $15.
#14
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#15
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I prefer them grilled.
I buy them live and spilt them down the middle with a chef's knife, then throw them (still moving usually) on the grill.
Judge, jury and executioner.
I buy them live and spilt them down the middle with a chef's knife, then throw them (still moving usually) on the grill.
Judge, jury and executioner.