My mother says this is her last meal. If she could pick anything at all, she’d pick lobster salad, lettuce, tomato, and bacon on toast. It’s hard to disagree with her. This was really, really good. And easy. I got home at 8 o’clock last night, and had dinner on the table at 8:30. I did, I admit, make the lobster salad ahead of time. It’s a great leftover from grilled lobster tail. Just steam an extra one.

I got the idea for the herb-caper mayonnaise from Wine Bar Food: Mediterranean Flavors to Crave with Wines to Match by Cathy and Tony Mantuano. If you don’t own this book, it has to be because you don’t know about it. I swear, I may never eat a real dinner again after reading it.

Continue Reading »

This is going to sound like the most decadent meal. And it is!  But I swear to you, the entire meal was less than $30 for 2. Including wine!

The original recipe this was based on is a pain in the butt to make. I beg my father to make it for any huge celebration. When I passed my boards, he gave in. But most of the time, I cannot talk him into it. Or, he’ll only make it for me, and everyone else gets steamed lobsters.

But I hit on a much, much easier way to do it. It starts with frozen lobster tail – instead of the live lobster from the original. The last time I priced these at a well-known supermarket, they were still around $40 for 2. But Fresh Market occasionally has them on sale. I got them last week for 2 for $15!! Now, I grew up in Rhode Island, and spent most of my life in New England. I get it. Lobster is supposed to be a certain way. Did I mention 2 for $15? Make sure to steam an extra one for this lobster club sandwich!

The other important element is compound butter. My personal favorite is Meyer lemon. Feel free to fiddle with the butter. Herbs, spices, wine, whatever sounds good. I like just the lemon because it does not overwhelm the lobster taste.

Serve this with a fennel salad and crusty rolls. For wine, I chose a Prosecco. It’s light and not too dry, making it a great choice with the sweet lobster meat.

Continue Reading »