WHOLE BOILED LOBSTER

Many of you already know that Lobster, is by far my MOST favorite food in the world. Not only did I have a father who started out as a commercial fisherman, but, my early years were spent, growing up in New England, where fish, of any kind, was just... a way of life.

There is not a single way served, that I don't like lobster. But... if I want the best way, I just boil it.

Shell food is a funny thing. Most people either love it, or hate it. (Although I don't understand that at all).

It's hard to believe that there was a time in history when lobster was considered a "dirty meat" in North America, and usually thrown back, if caught in nets. Worthless in most people's eyes.

Now, it is an expensive, and at times, an elaborate luxury, that comes with "wet wipes", and of course a bib. Unfortunately, they haven't come up with a tool that stops a piece of shell, from accidentally flying across the room however!

I think I love lobster too, because, I LOVE, to make a mess when I am eating foods I adore. Lobster is one of those foods. Everyone expects you to be messy when your done anyway, so for me, it is a spiritual moment of absolute culinary delight!

Ingredients:

Live lobsters, 1 per person. (A 11/2 lb. lobster, is perfect for me.)

A LARGE pot of well salted, boiling water.

2 tbsp. Old Bay (or to taste)

Butter.(melted)

lemon wedges (optional)

Directions:

• Fill Large pot, about half way, add Old Bay, and salt WELL.
• Bring water to a rolling boil. (You want enough water in the pot to be able to cover the lobster completely.)
• Once water is boiling, add the lobster to the pot, head first. (BTW: Do NOT, remove, bands from claws, until the Lobster is cooked )

• Allow to boil for appropriate time. (See chart below) For my 11/2 lb. lobster, I cooked it for 13 min.
• Once cooked, and a nice bright red in color, remove from pot with tongs, and let sit for 5 min.
• Melt butter, to be added for dipping at the table.
• Cut off claw restraints.
• Place on plate, and Serve with lemon wedges!!!

My husband enjoys King Crab Legs, better than lobster, but, it is still, cooked the same way, just for a shorter time. His 3 Large crab legs, were cooked for about 3- 4 min., also at a rolling boil, using the same spices.

This is what was left, in less than half an hour later!

Now Enjoy!

© 2014 Jayne's Crazy Kitchen

TIP: For timing, use the weight of individual lobsters, not total weight of all lobsters being cooked.

If the lobster weighs:	Boil:
1 pound	8 minutes
1 1/4 pounds	9-10 minutes
1 1/2 pounds	11-12 minutes
1 3/4 pounds	12-13 minutes
2 pounds	15 minutes
2 1/2 pounds	20 minutes
3 pounds	25 minutes
5 pounds	35-40 minutes

 Cooking Time Chart, courtesy of: http://www.lobsterfrommaine.com/steamed-lobster-cooking-tips.aspx