Lobster Butter Recipes

LOBSTER BUTTER

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300 degrees. Put lobster shells on the largest sheet pan you can fit in the oven, and allow them to dry and roast, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and set aside.
• Meanwhile, melt 1 stick butter per lobster in a large bowl or double boiler set over simmering water, making sure bowl does not touch the surface of water. Add lobster shells to the melted butter and simmer gently, without boiling, for about 20 minutes.
• Strain the melted butter through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into another bowl, then set that bowl into ice to chill. Cover bowl and refrigerate to set, then skim off the top and discard any liquids. Use within a few days, or freeze for up to a few weeks.

DRAWN BUTTER FOR STEAMED LOBSTER, CRABS, OR CLAMS

Steps:

• Place the butter in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 1 minute.
• Set the saucepan aside and let the butter settle, undisturbed. The milk solids will come to the top of the butter and the watery whey will collect on the bottom. Skim off the milk solids with a spoon and pour the drawn butter into a serving bowl or several small ramekins, taking care not include the watery liquid in the bottom of the pan. Serve.

CONNECTICUT-STYLE LOBSTER ROLLS WITH BUTTER

Steps:

• Fill a large steamer or pot with about 2 inches of water. Add 1 tablespoon sea salt and bring to a boil over medium heat. Put 2 lobsters (about 1 1/2 pounds each) in the steamer basket or directly in the pot; cover and steam until the shells turn bright red, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the lobsters and rinse under cold water until slightly cool. Remove the meat from the shells and roughly chop. Melt 1 stick unsalted butter in a saucepan with the juice of 1 lemon and 1/3 teaspoon paprika. Remove from the heat; stir in the lobster meat and season with salt. Divide among 4 split-top hot dog buns. Serve warm.

LOBSTER WITH GARLIC BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F with a large shallow baking pan in upper third.
• Mince and mash garlic to a paste with 1/2 teaspoon salt, then stir together with butter and parsley.
• Plunge lobsters headfirst into a large pot of boiling salted water (3 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) and cook, covered, 3 minutes from time they enter water. Transfer with tongs to a plate and let stand 5 minutes. (Lobsters will not be fully cooked.)
• Lightly crack claws, then split lobsters lengthwise and discard innards from body cavity.
• Remove tail meat from 1 lobster and cut crosswise into 8 pieces. Spread about 2 tablespoons garlic butter in one empty half shell, then fill that shell with all of sliced lobster and dot with 1 tablespoon garlic butter. Spoon about 5 tablespoons garlic butter into other empty half shell (for dipping). Repeat with remaining lobster.

LOBSTER DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic; cook and stir until starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining butter and reduce heat to low. Stir to melt the butter, then mix in the lemon juice, pepper and cilantro. Let it steep over low heat for about 10 minutes. Strain before serving if desired.

LOBSTER WITH THERMIDOR BUTTER

Steps:

• First make the butter. Put the wine and shallot into a pan, then bring to the boil and simmer until nearly dry. Tip into a bowl to cool, mix all the ingredients together, roll into a log, using cling film or foil, then chill to harden. Can be frozen for up to 1 month.
• Snap away the claws from the lobster. Using a large chef's knife, cut the lobster in half and wash the head cavity under cold water, then dry with kitchen paper. Lay the lobsters, cut side up, on a baking tray. Crack the claws and remove the claw meat. Divide claw meat between the head cavities. This can be done the day before and the lobster kept in the fridge ready for grilling.
• Heat grill to high. Slice the butter into thin rounds and lay it along the lobsters so all the meat is covered. Grill for 5-8 mins until the butter is bubbling and starting to brown. Put the lobsters on plates, pouring any butter from the tray over them. Serve with new potatoes and some dressed salad leaves.

LOBSTER BUTTER

Steps:

• Place shells on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Roast in 300°F (150°C) oven until completely dried out, about 15 minutes. Set aside.
• In medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add lobster shells; simmer (without boiling) for 20 minutes.
• Using fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, strain into bowl; discarding shells. Cover and refrigerate until needed.