Okay, so yesterday I decided I was gonna make some lobster rolls, you know, like the ones you get in Bar Harbor. I’ve never made them before, but I was feeling ambitious.
Getting Started
First, I gotta get the lobster. I went to the local fish market, they always have the freshest stuff. I picked up two live lobsters, about 1.5 pounds each. Felt kinda bad for the little guys, but, you know, gotta eat.
The Cooking Process
- I filled a huge pot with water, like, really big, and put it on the stove to boil. I added a bunch of salt, I heard that makes it taste better, like the ocean.
- Once it was boiling like crazy, I dropped the lobsters in headfirst. Again, felt bad, but it’s quick. I covered the pot and let them cook for about 8-10 minutes. They turned bright red, that’s how you know they’re done.
- Then, I took them out and put them in a bowl of ice water to cool down. That stops the cooking.
Making the Rolls
While the lobsters were cooling, I got everything else ready. I had some New England-style hot dog buns, the ones that are split on top. You gotta have those.
I melted some butter in a pan, not too much, just enough to toast the buns. I put the buns in, cut-side down, and let them get all golden brown and crispy.
The Lobster Salad
Okay, back to the lobsters. Once they were cool enough to handle, I started cracking them open. I got all the meat out of the tails, claws, and even the knuckles. It’s a bit of work, but so worth it.
- I chopped the lobster meat into chunks, not too small, you want to be able to taste the lobster, right?
- Then, in a bowl, I mixed the lobster meat with some mayonnaise. Just enough to bind it together, not too much, you don’t want it to be soupy.
- I added a little bit of chopped celery, for some crunch. And a squeeze of lemon juice, for some zing.
- I added salt and pepper.
- Some people add other stuff, like chives or tarragon, but I like to keep it simple.
Putting it All Together
Finally, I took my toasted buns and filled them with the lobster salad. I didn’t skimp on the lobster, either. I piled it high.
The Result
Man, they were good! Seriously, just like the ones you get in Maine. I ate two, and I could have eaten more. I will make these again, and the process is easier now.
