You’ve received your freshly delivered Maine lobster from Cape Porpoise Lobster Co. You’ve cooked it to perfection, following all the expert guidelines. Now, you’re left with the last, and possibly most daunting, challenge: cracking open this culinary treasure. But fear not, we’ve got you covered with this easy, step-by-step guide to help you crack your lobster like a pro.
Preparing Your Work Area
Before you dive into your delectable lobster, there are a few things you’ll need to set up your work area:
- A large plate or tray: Lobster cracking can get messy, so you’ll want a dedicated space to keep things tidy.
- Nutcracker or lobster cracker: These tools are designed to handle the hard shells of lobsters.
- A small fork or pick: This will help you pull out the delicious meat hidden inside the lobster.
- Napkins: Keep plenty of napkins handy.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cracking Your Lobster
Step 1: Twist Off the Claws
Begin by firmly holding the body of the lobster with one hand. With your other hand, grab one of the lobster’s claws at the base, where it meets the body, and twist it off. Repeat with the other claw.
Step 2: Crack the Claws
Take your lobster or nutcracker and carefully crack the claws. You don’t need to apply too much force; you just want to break the shell, not shatter it. Once the shell is cracked, use your pick or small fork to remove the succulent meat.
Step 3: Remove the Legs
Lobster legs may be small, but they’re often full of tasty morsels of meat. To remove the legs, simply twist and pull them away from the body. You can roll a rolling pin or the handle of a wooden spoon over the legs to squeeze out the meat, or use a pick for this task.
Step 4: Open the Tail
The tail contains a bounty of lobster meat. To access it, hold the body of the lobster with one hand and firmly grasp the tail with the other. Twist and pull the tail to separate it from the body. Once removed, you can squeeze the tail from the sides to crack the underside, or you can cut it open with kitchen shears.
Step 5: Remove the Tail Meat
Once the tail is open, simply pull out the meat. Check for and remove the digestive tract, which runs along the top of the tail meat. The meat is now ready to be savored!
Step 6: Enjoy the Body
Don’t forget about the body! The body contains small pockets of tender meat. You can crack open the body by pulling it apart at the center. Use your pick to carefully extract the meat from the cavities.
Savor the Flavor!
Congratulations! You’ve now cracked your lobster like a true pro. Enjoy the sweet, succulent meat of your Maine lobster, and savor the fruits of your labor.
Cracking a lobster can seem like a challenge, but once you’ve mastered it, you’ll find it’s an incredibly rewarding experience. Remember, part of the fun of enjoying a Maine lobster is the journey from the sea to your plate.
And if you’re looking to buy some Maine lobster, Cape Porpoise Lobster Co. has you covered. Look through our website to get started.
