Steamed Lobster today Need suggestion?

Question

Hey,

Im gonna steam a lobster or 2 up! Well i have a question: Which one is better: boiled or steamed lobster... because to the best of my knowledge with steaming, the lobster wont touch the boiling water but the evaporating water will cook it rite?

And: Euthanizing the lobsters and 'keeping the tail strait with a wooden skewer" will all that make the lobster lose its juice during cooking?

Thanks

Answer 1

Growing up near Maine, I've enjoyed /prepared many Lobsters. I prefer steaming.
BUT according to those 'in the business':
Setting Up. Fill a stock pot with enough water to cover the lobsters (about 4"-5"), but don't put them in yet! Bring water to a strong boil. TIP: Don't add salt to accelerate the boiling — it will only cause an overboil all over your stove. Several clients have recommended massaging the backs of the lobsters to put them in a trance. This will relax their muscles and make them play possum. Try it, if you like.
Firmly grasp the lobsters behind their arms and quickly plunge them head-first into the boiling water. Cover the pot with a lid. Don't worry about them screaming. This is an old husband's tale — they really whistle! However, be careful of their tails splashing water and of overboils.
When the water returns to a soft boil, start timing your lobsters. If an overboil occurs, take off the lid.
1 lb. lobster 9 - 10 minutes
1 1/4 lb. lobster 10 - 11 minutes
1 1/2 lb. lobster 11 - 12 minutes
2 lb. lobster 12 - 13 minutes


ENJOY

Answer 2

I boil my lobsters, and have never bothered with euthanizing them beforehand because of that. If you're steaming them, it might be a kindly thing as I think that is a slower cooking method. I've never heard of the tail-straight thing, either. I just cook 'em!

Keep in mind, however, that when injured the lobster can release toxins into it's bloodstream, which means that if you're sloppy in your killing method you wind up with lobster that's inedible. If you're at all unsure of how to do it, ask your seafood salesperson to do it for you.

Some seafood departments will steam or boil your seafood for you. If you ask, they can shave off a few minutes of cooking time, so that when you're ready to serve it you put it into the pot of water for just a few minutes and then have fresh hot lobster. I often do this for larger lobsters, just because I never have a pot big enough!

Kitchen shears and nutcrackers are often all you need to pry your lobster from it's shell, although wooden skewers/chopsticks can help with smaller joints and legs.

Answer 3

As a matter of personal preference, I'll take steaming only because I will have less steaming hot scalding water running out of the bug when I crack it open (ouch). The steam rising is what cooks it, so yes you were right on that one.

As for euthanizing and skewering, in my experience it has made no difference in juiciness - over cooking is what dries the lobster out.

Enjoy

Answer 4

I find steaming to be the best way other than broiling. If you boil lobster it can become tough and will loose flavor in the boiling process.Steaming will not affect flavour as much. With broiling you can season the lobster as it cooks.Hope this helps. I know you did'nt ask about broiling but thought I would offer that option also.

Answer 5

I would definitely recommend boiling, it's faster and the meat cooks more evenly. bring one pot of salted water to a boil, then thrust lobster (head first) into water cook until the lobster turns bright red and remove immediately, otherwise the meat will turn mushy not chewy or tough. remember put the lobster in head first, i had a girlfriend who placed the lobsters in a pot of water and then turned on the stove not very humane ( luckily i was there to prevent the slow death.

Answer 6

I prefer to get my lobster already cooked at a restaurant, however, plunging them into boiling water is what I've been told is the preferred method, and I've never, ever seen anything about skewering the tail prior to euthenizing it. The boiling water kills them instantly, which I think is more humane.

Answer 7

The most humane method to euthanize the lobster is to let it "rest" in a sink of warm water to cover for about 20 minutes.....they will just go to sleep and never wake up.......Boiling a lobster to me makes it taste "waterlogged", so I highly recommend steaming it...........for no longer than 15 minutes for a 1.5 pound lobster..........AND DON'T FORGET THE BUTTER AND LEMON WEDGES!!!!

Enjoy!!

Christopher

Answer 8

Steam has more heat than boiling water. It'll cook it just fine.

I don't think you could do anything that's going to make lobster lose its juice, except maybe hacking it up.

Answer 9

You know what I do? When I purchase the lobster, I have the place steam them for me. A lot of grocery stores do it for free. It's great. No fuss. No mess. Just as good because they seal the lobster up nice and tight in insulated bags.

Answer 10

i'm no longer a super fan of seafood yet i admire purple Lobster's crab alfredo. I usually order a nil.5 order considering the fact that i'm getting complete from the biscuits and salad. it is so creamy and in case you compromise on you do no longer only like the crab you are able to quite pull it off to the section.