Cooking and Nutrition of Lobsters

What is the purpose of basting the lobster meat with oil or melted butter?

How many times can a lobster shed its shell before it reaches 6-7 years old?

What is the term for the reflex action that causes lobsters to twitch their tails when cooked?

What is the purpose of hypnotizing a lobster before cooking?

How long does it take for a lobster's shell to harden after it has shed its shell?

Why do lobsters shed their shells?

What happens to a lobster's shell immediately after it has shed its shell?

How long does the 'escape response' last in lobsters when they are dropped in boiling water?

What is the nutritional value of lobster compared to lean beef, whole poached eggs, and roasted, skinless chicken breast?

What is the cooking time for a 1- to 1¼-pound hard-shell lobster when boiling?

What is the purpose of using rubber bands when steaming lobsters?

What is the first step in grilling lobsters?

What is the purpose of putting the lobsters in cold water after par-boiling?

What is the difference in cooking time between hard-shell and soft-shell lobsters when boiling?

What is the indicator that the lobster is cooked?

What is removed from the lobster body during preparation?

Nutrition Facts

Lobster is low in calories, total fat, and cholesterol compared to lean beef, whole poached eggs, and roasted chicken breast.
It is a rich source of amino acids, potassium, magnesium, vitamins A, B12, B6, B3, and B2, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc.

Cooking Methods

Boiling: Fill a large pot with 2½ quarts of seawater or salted water, bring to a boil, add the lobster, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes based on the lobster's size.
Steaming: Bring 2 inches of seawater or salted water to a boil, add the lobster, cover, and cook for 18-20 minutes based on the lobster's size.
Grilling: Par-boil the lobster, then slice it down the middle, remove the black vein, greenish tomalley, and sand sac, baste with oil or melted butter, and grill for 5-6 minutes per side.

Hard Shell vs Soft Shell

Lobsters shed their shells as they grow, and the new shell can take up to two months to harden.
Soft-shell lobsters are easier to crack, but the debate is on as to which is more tasty.

Lobster Behavior

Lobsters twitch as they cook due to a reflex action called the "escape response" that occurs in response to sudden stimuli.
This reflex action is a natural reaction to an external factor, such as an elevated water temperature.

Minimizing Movement

Hypnotizing, slow heating, and chilling/icing can be used to minimize the movement of a lobster when it's placed in a cooking pot.
Experiments show that these methods can alter the length of time a lobster moves when cooked.

Discover the nutritional benefits of lobsters, their calorie and fat content, and how they compare to other protein sources. Learn about the essential vitamins and minerals found in lobsters.