Monday, September 29, 2008

Lobster And Shellfish: Taste Adventures Made Easy

By Shannon Linnen

Enjoying a delicious dinner of fresh shellfish is a pleasure that nobody should miss. It is easiest to do this, of course, if you live on the coast or nearby. However, if you live inland and don't have good access to seafood, there may be a specialty shop or a restaurant in your area that can sell you fish that were flown in that day. Of course the best place to get fresh seafood is from a reputable online vendor. With the introduction of overnight delivery from Fedex to the continental US, there is absolutely no reason for you not to enjoy a fresh seafood meal on a regular basis. Frozen fish is a poor substitute.

The king of seafood is of course, lobster. Whoever first decided to try and eat one must have had courage. In fact, they were not popular for a long time. Did you know that what to us is a pricey delicacy was once the food of commoners? It's true; however, that piece of trivia will probably be small comfort when you?re shelling out $11.95 a pound in stores or $29.95 in a restaurant. Often times ordering online is the best way to ensure you are getting the freshest lobster possible. After all, this way you can order it directly from a coastal area and have it shipped to you, even if your in the Arizona desert.

When preparing lobster at home purchase one live and kicking from your local fish market or seafood counter and bring them home. Be certain not to store them in fresh water as that will kill them, just seal them up in the fridge and plan to at them that evening as lobster doesn't keep very well.

This is the hardest part. Each lobster, sadly, will have to give its life for your meal, and you are the one who has to make it happen. To do it humanely, you can drop them into water that is at a violent rolling boil, or you can put them out of their misery first by inserting the point of a knife briskly between the head and the body, which kills them instantly. If you choose the second option, you can grill them. They can also be steamed in less water.

Serve your lobster with some butter and lemon, put on a bib, and don't stand on ceremony. There are tasty morsels of meat all throughout the shell. Green tomalley or red roe which you may find in the body is edible as well, and gourmets prize it.

This kind of ocean-themed meal needn't limit itself to lobster, of course. What about trying some fresh shellfish like mussels (just scrub them well and steam them in water, wine or broth)? What about steamer clams, which you steam and then dip in clam broth to wash any remaining sand from the beach? Oysters are popular fried, baked, and even raw. And then there's shrimp, langoustines, crayfish ? these are all delicious ways to enjoy the gift of the sea.

You can prepare your tasty and delicious seafood feast in an unlimited amount of ways, for starters just simply boiling or steaming your seafood choice is enough to create a tasty dinner for two or a group of friends. You certainly do not need to be a chef or attend any cooking classes.

If these kinds of seafood are all still somewhat frightening, there is another choice for the light hearted. The option of going into your grocer and purchasing a bit of clam chowder is always open. Fresh fish isn't bad either, but you'll still get that briny taste of the ocean. Serve with oyster crackers, a dash of cream and lots of ground black pepper. Lastly, enjoy and pretend your on the beach.

Good times and great food go hand in hand. A lobster and shellfish taste adventure is no exception to the rule. When throwing an extravagant meal such as this, everyone invited will be very impressed. Whether it is just your friends that attend, or your family members too, they will all have fond memories of the seafood feast enjoyed on that occasion. Just the thought of it will bring warm and soothing feelings to all involved. It will truly be a historical event.

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