For New Year's this year (yes I know, that was months ago), they had a sale on lobster tails and tenderloin. Surf n Turf, baby! The lobster tails were six bucks each (they were frozen but who cares), and tenderloin was something like eight dollars a pound. I picked up 2 modest fillets and two 6-buck lobster tails for a total of 22 dollars.
Here's the cookin:
for the lobster:
After thawing them out overnight in the fridge, cut down the middle of the tail with scissors, and loosen the meat as much as possible - this will make it easier to remove from the shell while it's piping hot. Place a pat of butter n the opening of the shell and put in the oven at broiling temperature for 5-10 minutes.
For the filets, get your pan nice and hot on the stove. Salt both sides of the meat. Melt a few table spoons of butter, and when it's hot enough place your filets in the pan to sear. Each side gets 4 minutes (for an average 1 and a quarter inch thick steak). For the last 2 minutes I put a lid on the pan to let them steam a little to ensure a perfect mid-rare. Remove from heat onto a plate and let sit.
For the sides, what is easier than potatoes? I picked up a small bag of tiny gold potatoes, but any variety will work. Cut into generous pieces, place in microwave safe bowl with green onions, butter, salt and some lemon juice and microwave wave in increments of 5 minutes until tender. (15 - 20 min) Stir along the way.
For veg I chose broccolini, yellow zucchini and mushrooms (I know, that's not a vegetable). Leaving the spears of broccolini whole, add with chopped yellow zucchini and mushrooms and steam. I don't have a "steamer" so I just use a metal colander and place atop a stock pot with boiling water in it, and trap the steam with the stock lid on top of the colander. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon.
Order of prep:
1) potatoes - get chopped and get them cooking first
2) lobster prep - and preheat oven
3) meat
4) veg & put lobster in the oven
5) prep any drinks and butter warmers
6) plate & serve
From start to finish the whole deal takes about 30-40 minutes, comfortably. With the price of everything, including stuff "I already had" this meal cost around $35. It would have easily run us 3 times that at least at a restaurant.
