Questions about lobster (eating)

JoNightshade · Apr 8, 2008

I don't eat seafood, so...

1) Is the normal method for preparing lobster to boil it in water?

2) If so, is there a distinct smell from boiling lobster?

3) If there is no smell, is there a smell from shellfish? Say oysters?

JoNightshade · Apr 8, 2008

Bump... Sorry for being impatient, I'm trying to get this article finished tonight and I need to know.

Maui Author · Apr 8, 2008

I haven't cooked lobster, but I have eaten it a lot. And it's usually put into boiling water to cook it and that is when the shell turns bright red.

Not sure about the smell though, sorry!

Puma · Apr 9, 2008

Seafood smells when you boil it - I cook crab (much like lobster) and steam clams fairly often and there's no disguising the smell. If someone doesn't like seafood, there's no way they'd want to be in the house when the pot is on. Have you ever heard someone talk about the smell of cooking fish? Seafood's much the same (although some fish smell stronger). Puma

Twizzle · Apr 9, 2008

JoNightshade said:
I don't eat seafood, so...

1) Is the normal method for preparing lobster to boil it in water?

2) If so, is there a distinct smell from boiling lobster?

3) If there is no smell, is there a smell from shellfish? Say oysters?

1. yeah, usually you submerge them head first in the hot water. you can whack them with the knife down behind the head, and you can also stick them in the freezer-not to freeze them, but to get them really cold. supposedly they get major lethargic, like hypnotizing them.

2. personally, from just cooking, I think more from steamers but yeah, there's smell. after, though? woohoo you have to toss the shells outside in the trash, no letting it hang round the house, you know?

3. there's smell.

though, what Puma said. it's a different less "fishy" smell I think than some fish. some fish are just rank, but there's a smell.

good luck!

Don Allen · Apr 9, 2008

Jo this is my speciality. I have friends that travel from other planets to take part in the perfect tail which i have mastered over 30 years.

First the lobster must be COLD WATER.. Maine or Australlian is the best. I only cook tails, because I can't kill anything to eat it. So here's how to do it. You will most likely get it frozen,, Some people will stick it right into a pot of boiling water..... NO<NO<NO... you take the tails out of the freezer the day before and thaw them then run them under cold water about an hour before your ready to cook. Then you don't boil them you steam them, until white and fluffy. Then you remove from the steamer and let cool before cutting off the shell, ( I have some garden shears for this task, ask if you need details) Then arrange the tails back side up on a broiler pan and put them about an inch away from the heat source in a very hot broiler oven, check every minute or so, after about 3 minutes turn them on their backs and brush each tail with gobs of butter, then back in the broiler and watch as a touch of brown blisters the tips of the tail...REMOVE immediately. And go to heaven..... I LOVE LOBSTER......AAAAHHHHHH

Don Allen · Apr 9, 2008

Yes lobsters have a unique musty smell

Ravenlocks · Apr 9, 2008

Some folks hypnotize the lobster before sticking it in the boiling water. I think you do this by stroking the lobster's back, and I know standing it on its head comes into the picture somehow, but I don't remember how it's done exactly. I haven't seen it since I was a kid.

That wasn't very helpful. :tongue

Sarpedon · Apr 9, 2008

And why do they hypnotize the lobster?

reigningcatsndogs · Apr 9, 2008

When I've been to lobster dinners, they throw the little fellas into a giant pot of boiling water. They scream and scrape at the insides of the pot (at least, that's what it sounds like but I've been told its the steam escaping from their shells). When they turn red, you pull them out and serve em up.

There's a definite smell -- fishy/swampy/kelpy kinda thing, with a hint of garlic, lemon and beer.

davids · Apr 9, 2008

My uncle Sid stunk to high heaven when they cooked him but then again they did not remove his socks-see when you do not remove the socks there is a distinky aroma and the little bits of toe jam left over can get caught in your molars if you are not careful-elderly lobsterinos are not delicious but when adequately cured by the gentle hand of a fair maid they can be of the greatest oyster type lusterinos! Plus they drive Ferraris and have a yacht and opera singers tongue-hi Mary!!!!

reigningcatsndogs · Apr 9, 2008

And why do they hypnotize the lobster?

davids said:
My uncle Sid stunk to high heaven when they cooked him but then again they did not remove his socks-see when you do not remove the socks there is a distinky aroma and the little bits of toe jam left over can get caught in your molars if you are not careful-elderly lobsterinos are not delicious but when adequately cured by the gentle hand of a fair maid they can be of the greatest oyster type lusterinos! Plus they drive Ferraris and have a yacht and opera singers tongue-hi Mary!!!!

This is a perfect example of why they should be hypnotized on a regular basis -- hypnotised or marinated in scotch.

mscelina · Apr 9, 2008

You can also grill lobster, you know. That puts the stink outside (although when I steam lobster inside the garlic, peppers, and beer boiling underneath drowns out the lobster smell) and gives you exceptionally tender meat. If you know how to do it right.

davids · Apr 9, 2008

Lobster toe jam alla mode-now you are talking!

StephanieFox · Apr 9, 2008

I have heard from someone at the Humane Society that the way to boil live lobsters to cause them no pain is to put them in cool water on the stove and bring the water to the boil. As the water gets hotter the lobster fall asleep (like someone drunk in a lot tub) and by the time the water boils, they are dead and soon ready to eat.

You can also kill 'em with a hammer and steam them. Oysters and clams are steamed or roasted.

Cooking seafood give a musty salty smell. It takes a while to get that scent out of your house, which is why lobster boils and shellfish dinners are often held on beaches.

Dale Emery · Apr 9, 2008

Sarpedon said:
And why do they hypnotize the lobster?

"You are becoming verrrry delicious..."

Dale

davids · Apr 9, 2008

StephanieFox said:
I have heard from someone at the Humane Society that the way to boil live lobsters to cause them no pain is to put them in cool water on the stove and bring the water to the boil. As the water gets hotter the lobster fall asleep (like someone drunk in a lot tub) and by the time the water boils, they are dead and soon ready to eat.

You can also kill 'em with a hammer and steam them. Oysters and clams are steamed or roasted.

Cooking seafood give a musty salty smell. It takes a while to get that scent out of your house, which is why lobster boils and shellfish dinners are often held on beaches.

i say let em scream or shoot with a gun right a tween the old eye ball thingys-note avatar and be very careful-we are watching!!!!

Jongfan · Apr 9, 2008

Ok..
I take a large pot of water and add old bay seasoning.. lots of it
get it to boil.. add lobster, cook for 18 minutes and it's perfect..
Must be a cold water lobster.. must be a Maine lobster to truly enjoy the finest there is.. IMHO

davids · Apr 9, 2008

you guys are starting to make me question the voracious self cannonballization of me tail!

JoNightshade · Apr 9, 2008

Wow guys, thanks for all the extraneous lobster info. Haha. I got my answer so... rep points for all.

Jersey Chick · Apr 9, 2008

I used to have to leave the room when my grandfather would boil crabs - you could hear them scraping the side of the pot and I do remember it smelled a little funky for a while.

We didn't catch lobsters, though.

davids · Apr 9, 2008

i once had berled crabs-took penecillin and they walked right away!

Jersey Chick · Apr 9, 2008

are ya sure they weren't running??

Ravenlocks · Apr 9, 2008

Sarpedon said:
And why do they hypnotize the lobster?

Because you're about to boil it alive, and if it's hypnotized supposedly it doesn't feel the pain.

Also it looks really cool standing on its head.

davids · Apr 10, 2008

Jersey Chick said:
are ya sure they weren't running??

Jersey they call it scattlin' where this lobsterino cums from!!!!!!

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