Both Lobster And Shellfish Are Taste Bud Titans

Having fresh shellfish for dinner is a wonderful dining experience that everyone should find a way to try. While it is easiest to obtain fresh shellfish if you live on or near one of the coasts, where is seafood is plentiful, there might still be a specialty shop or restaurant that flies in the “catch of the day.” The best place to get fresh shellfish yourself is via the Internet-FedEx delivers to the continental U.S. which makes it possible for one to have fresh seafood on a regular basis. Having fresh fish is definitely so much better than frozen.

Lobster is, of course, the greatest dish among all seafood. However, the first person to try and eat one must have been courageous, and they were not popular for many years. A little known fact is that lobster, though now an expensive delicacy, was once the food of the lower class. Though this is true, it’s probably of little consolation when one has to pay $11.95 per pound in stores, or as much as $29.95 in a restaurant. Most times, it’s best to order lobster online to ensure that you are getting it as fresh as possible. That way, one can order it fresh from the coast on which it was caught and have it shipped direct, even to the deserts of Arizona.

If you wish to prepare lobster at home, you buy one per person, alive and kicking at your fishmonger or seafood counter, bringing them home in a bag. Do not put them in fresh water; people often do, but it will kill them. Just close the bag well and keep it in the refrigerator. They don’t really keep: plan to eat them that evening.

The hardest part in preparing lobster is the actual act of killing it. For the squeamish, the easiest and most humane way to end a lobster’s life is to plunge it in to boiling water. Another, faster option in butchering a lobster is to use a knife to make a quick incision between the lobster’s head and body. Not only does the latter technique kill the lobster immediately, but it also allows for more creative cooking options, such as steaming or grilling the lobster.

Prepare your lobster with butter and lemon, grab a bib and jump right in. The shell is filled with yummy nuggets of meat. You can also eat the green tomalley or red roe found in the body, gourmets love it.

Lobster doesn’t have to be the only dish served at this kind of ocean-themed meal. Fresh shellfish such as mussels, steamer clams, oysters, shrimp and crayfish are all delicious ways to enjoy the gifts of the sea. Mussels are excellent when scrubbed and steamed in water, wine or broth. Steamer clams are dipped in their own broth after steaming to remove any remaining sand. Oysters are perhaps the most versatile of all, being popular fried, baked and even raw.

For those who are intimidated by all these kinds of seafood, there exists another option. Clam chowder may be found in the soup aisle of most major grocery stores. Although fresh fish is always best, this chowder will provide you with the true salty taste of the ocean. Pretend that you’re on a beach holiday by serving the chowder with oyster crackers, a splash of cream, and a generous amount of ground black pepper.

Enjoying a delicious dinner of fresh shellfish is a pleasure that nobody should miss. You can easily get them if you live on the coast, but if you live inland, there may be a specialty shop in your area that can sell fresh fish. Of course the best place to get fresh seafood is from a reputable online vendor. Many times, the sure way of getting the freshest lobster is to order online. Still, there’s another choice - you can always go to the soup aisle and purchase some clam chowder. Fresh fish is better, but you’ll at least get the true briny taste of the ocean.

- Matthew Lewis