Traditional New England Boiled Lobster

🕒 Prep: 5 min
🔥 Cook: 12 min
🍽 Serves: 2
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Get ready to experience the essence of New England with this traditional boiled lobster recipe. It’s simple, authentic, and lets the natural sweetness of lobster shine. Perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a taste of the coast.

Ingredients for Traditional New England Boiled Lobster

This dish keeps it simple with just a few ingredients, allowing the flavor of the lobster to shine through. Here’s a quick rundown:

Lobsters: The star of the show. Choose lively, healthy ones for the best taste. Their sweetness and tender meat are unmatched.

Water: Used for boiling. You’ll need enough to cover the lobsters completely, ensuring even cooking.

Sea salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the lobster. It mimics the ocean environment, adding a subtle brininess.

Melted butter: A classic accompaniment, it adds richness and complements the lobster's flavor beautifully.

Lemon wedges: A squeeze of lemon brightens the dish, balancing the richness of the butter.

Tips & Tricks

  • Choose lively lobsters at the market; they’re fresher and tastier.
  • If you don’t have sea salt, kosher salt works as an alternative.
  • Make sure your pot is large enough to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking.

Serving Suggestions

This lobster pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or steamed veggies like asparagus. For a truly New England dining experience, serve with corn on the cob and perhaps some crusty bread to mop up any leftover butter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen lobsters?
Fresh is best for the authentic taste, but if you must use frozen, ensure they're thoroughly thawed before cooking.
How do I know when the lobster is done?
The shell will turn bright red, and the antennae should pull out easily.

Traditional New England Boiled Lobster Recipe Walkthrough

Start by grabbing your largest pot and fill it with about 4 quarts of water. Place it on the stove and crank up the heat until you get a nice, rolling boil. This is crucial for cooking the lobsters evenly.

Once boiling, toss in a quarter cup of sea salt and let it dissolve completely. This step is key for flavor, so don't skimp on the salt.

Now, handle your lobsters with care. Grab each one firmly and place them headfirst into the boiling water. This might feel a bit intense, but it's the most humane way to cook them.

Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water back to a boil. Once there, lower the heat to maintain a gentle boil and let them cook for about 10 to 12 minutes. You'll know they're done when the shells turn a bright, vibrant red.

Using tongs, carefully remove the lobsters from the pot and let them drain a bit. Give them a few minutes to cool — just enough so you can handle them.

Serve the lobsters while warm, with a side of melted butter for dipping and lemon wedges for squeezing. It’s a taste of the ocean on your plate.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Minimal ingredients let the lobster's flavor take center stage.
  • Classic cooking method that's been trusted for generations.
  • Quick to prepare, making it perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight treat.
  • Serves as a fantastic introduction to cooking shellfish for beginners.

Ingredients

2 live lobsters (1 1/2 pounds each)
4 quarts water
1/4 cup sea salt
Melted butter for serving
Lemon wedges for serving

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with 4 quarts of water and bring to a rolling boil.
2. Add 1/4 cup of sea salt to the boiling water and let it dissolve.
3. Carefully add live lobsters to the pot, headfirst.
4. Cover the pot and return to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle boil and cook for 10-12 minutes.
5. Remove lobsters from the pot using tongs and let them drain and cool slightly.
6. Serve the lobsters warm with melted butter and lemon wedges.

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