Preparing Lobster Tails

Lobster, once the food of poor farmers, is now considered a special treat for many. Although some people prefer the meaty claws, I think that lobster tails are the best tasting part of this delicious creature. A great meal of lobster tails might seem like a gourmet feast to your guests, but they are actually quite easy to prepare. Add a little sprig of garnish and a fancy side dish and you're sure to impress even your mother in law.

Your lobster tails may start off a fresh or frozen, being in New England, fresh lobster is easy to come by but frozen might be all you can get in certain parts of the nation and in the off season. If your lobster tails are suspended, you want to thaw them out (you can cook them frozen but they won't be as tender). Put them in the refrigerator for 10 hours or so or thaw them in the microwave on defrost - be very careful if you opt for this method as you do not want them to start cooking in the microwave.

After they are thawed, remove the meat from the shell by cutting open the back of the shell - divide it down the middle and open it up to reveal the meat. Lift the meat out - you can leave the fan part of the tail for display or not. Remove the vein.

Boiling Lobster Tails

Boil a pot of water large enough for all the tails to float , add 1 teaspoon salt for each quart of water. Drop the tails from the boiling water and cook for about 1 minute per ounce thawed (so 10 0z of tails needs to cook for 10 minutes). If you are cooking a great deal of tails, add a minute or two on to the total moment.

Cooking Lobster Tails at the Oven

Lobster tails can be baked or broiled in the oven. To cook thawed lobster from the oven,set the oven to 400 degrees F. Brush the tails with butter and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. If broiling, place the tails 4 or 5 inches from the heat and broil for 2 - 5 minutes. When broiling keep a very close eye on them so that they don't burn the tops.

Cooking Lobster Tails On The Grill

Oil the grill to keep the lobsters from sticking. Place the grill on medium heat. Brush the lobster tails with butter and place on the grill. Make sure that the tails don't burn - if there are any flames on the grill move the lobster away from it. Grill on each side for 4-5 minutes.

Take care not to overcook your lobster or it is going to be rubbery and tasteless. Lobster is cooked when it is no longer transparent.