Cooking a live lobster can be a delicious culinary adventure! Here's a simple step-by-step guide to help you cook a 1.5lb lobster:
1. Prepare a large pot of water: Fill a pot with water, adding salt to taste. Bring the water to a vigorous boil. It's often recommended to use about 2 tablespoons of salt per quart of water.
2. Handle the lobster carefully: Before cooking, make sure to handle the live lobster with caution. Grasp it firmly behind the claws, avoiding the pinchers.
3. Submerge the lobster: Gently place the lobster into the boiling water, headfirst, ensuring that it's fully immersed. Taking care not to get splashed by the boiling water, close the pot's lid quickly.
4. Cook time: Cook a 1.5lb lobster for approximately 12-15 minutes. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the lobster's size, so be sure to adjust accordingly.
5. Determine doneness: To check if the lobster is cooked through, you can perform a few tests. The shell should turn bright red, and the antennae should be easy to remove. Additionally, you can check the internal temperature with a digital thermometer; it should reach 145°F (63°C) in the thickest part of the tail.
6. Remove from water: Once cooked to perfection, carefully lift the lobster from the boiling water using tongs or gloves designed for handling hot surfaces. Be cautious of steam and hot water while doing this.
7. Let it cool: Allow the lobster to cool slightly before serving. You can place it on a plate or tray lined with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture.
8. Serve and enjoy: Once cooled, it's time to crack open that succulent lobster meat! Serve with clarified butter, lemon wedges, and any other desired accompaniments. Enjoy the fruits of your cooking adventure!
Happy cooking 🧑🍳