Lobstah Ayuh

We live along the coast of Maine where the availability of lobster is astounding.  In the summer, when the tourist are here, the Maine lobster is practically a staple.  So much so that you can gas up you car and grab a lobster roll both at the same place.  Lobster license plates, lobster key chains, lobster grabby things and lobster hats.   When your on vacation you tend to buy the local trade marks and eat the main dishes of the area.  When you live here it's very different. 

Lobster is not usually on my grocery list for my trip to the market.  In fact, during the three years since we moved to Maine we had lobster for the first time last Thanksgiving.  Lobster prices were so low and the lobster fisherman were struggling because the demand for the delicious crustacean had evaporated.  Their biggest buyer stopped ordering them due to the credit crunch.  These were Canadian companies who had lost financial backing from their banks because the banks had no money to give. This presented a glut of lobsters with no place to go.  So the people of Maine and around New England decided to add the tasty treat to their menu.  After all, at $2.99 per pound, it was cheaper than ground beef.

The market that we frequent is where we purchased the succulent critters.  They also cooked them for us.  That was nice of them.  All we had to do was to crack them open and remove the sweet tasting meat.  We removed the gills and the tamale, the lobsters liver, and placed the meat in a bowl for later.  The shells and liquids went  into a pot, were crushed up and made into lobster stock.  The stock will make excellent chowder or in a stir-fry as a lobster sauce.

The meat was cut up and made into a lobster salad in a light dressing.  It was served on romaine leaves.  A very delicious appetizer.  Some of the meat was set aside and made into lobster chowder, delicious as well.  We also bought more lobster for Christmas. 

Prices since have gone back up, but still not the high prices they were a year ago.  I guess I'll be going back to eating steak again.  Lobster is still a great special occasion choice.  Valentines day is coming up.  You could serve a lobster to your sweet heart and place a piece of jewelry in the large claw.  As long as your mate isn't allergic to them it makes a wonderful evening. 

Here is the recipe for a lobster roll:

The meat of two, 1Lb lobsters
1/3 cup real mayonnaise
2 Tbsp lime juice
1 Tbsp rice vinegar
Dash of white pepper
Romaine lettuce
Hot dog roll or finger roll

Combine mayo, lime juice and vinegar in bowl.  Whisk to smooth.  The consistency should drip from the whisk but also adhere as well.  Add small amounts at a time to the lobster meat to coat.  You don't want to over power the taste of the lobster.  Place a lettuce leaf in a bun and add some lobster.  Dig in!

Lobstah apetit and be warm

Bill