It’s become a Memorial Day tradition for many families in the Miami Valley. On Saturday hundreds will line up at each of the Dorothy Lane Markets to get their fresh live lobster brought in from Portland Maine by Ready Seafood. They’ve been caught by independent harvesters in the pristine waters of Maine and Canada.
The lobsters will arrive Friday night at which time they’ll establish the price for the crustaceans. Also, you should know that they don’t start selling lobsters until 9 am Saturday, May 27, the line begins to form much earlier. Over the years, many have made their own tradition of Lobstermania, forming friendships with one another as they wait for the sale to start.
You can purchase a live lobster or if you prefer they do offer a pre-cooked option.
DLM offers these cooking tips on their website:
Lobster Boiling Tips
Boiling a live lobster is easy and probably the best way for cooking 4 or more at one time. Fill a big pot with fresh water about 2/3 full. Add 1 to 2 Tbsp of salt per gallon of water. Bring to a boil and add lobsters. Start the timer when the water comes back to a boil. You can figure 6-7 minutes for a 1.25-lb lobster, 7-9 minutes for 1.5-lb lobster, and 10-12 minutes for a 2-lb lobster.
Lobster Steaming Tips
Steaming live lobster works great and tends to yield a more tender, less messy cooked lobster than boiling. Fill a large, deep pot with 2-3 inches of water. Bring to a boil, add the lobsters, cover, and steam, about 8 minutes per lb.
How do you tell when it’s cooked?
Remember, sometimes the lobster may be undercooked even if the shell is entirely red. Double check that the meat is a creamy white color with no translucent areas. Give a good tug on one of the antennae. If it pops off, the lobster is done. You can also insert an instant read thermometer into the underside of the tail. It should read 135-140°F.
Pre-Cooked Lobster Reheating Instructions
Wrap lobsters individually in foil. Place in a 350°F oven on a cooking sheet, belly up, and heat until warm. Or, place the foil-wrapped lobsters on the grill to warm.
How to Eat A Lobster:
What to Serve With Lobster:
A baked potato is a hearty side dish option to serve alongside it. Served with butter, just like your lobster, it can be garnished with parsley or dill for some extra flavor.
This is another standard side dish to serve with lobster, because it’s also served with butter. These more basic options ensure the lobster will remain the highlight of the meal.
A Caesar salad is an ideal side dish to pair with lobster, particularly if the serving is a whole lobster, because it can be very rich. A Caesar salad is relatively light and the garlic and lemon hints in the dressing will pair nicely with your crustacean.
