Kamil Perry
Lobster and cheese is a decadent combination that can be used to make a variety of dishes, including grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni and cheese. The type of cheese used can vary depending on the recipe and your personal preference, with options such as cheddar, gouda, havarti, gruyere, and fontina. Lobster grilled cheese sandwiches are made by spreading butter and mayonnaise on slices of bread, adding lobster meat and cheese, and cooking the sandwich until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Lobster mac and cheese typically involves cooking pasta and lobster separately, making a cheese sauce, combining all the ingredients, and baking the dish until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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What You'll Learn
Lobster preparation
First, decide on your preferred method of cooking the lobster. You can boil, bake, broil, air fry, or sous vide the lobster. If boiling, bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lobster for 3-4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145 °F. If baking or broiling, brush the lobster tails with butter and sprinkle with seasonings such as salt and pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Bake at 450 °F for about 10 minutes or until the lobster tails develop a nice colour. For air frying, follow the instructions provided with your air fryer for the best results.
Once the lobster is cooked, you will need to remove the meat from the shell. Cut the lobster tails in half vertically and remove the meat by slitting the tail down each side of the underbelly and peeling off the shell. Chop the lobster meat into bite-sized pieces or leave larger chunks, depending on your preference. Set the meat aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.
It is important to note that lobster will continue to cook once it is added to the dish, so slightly undercooking it will prevent it from becoming rubbery. Additionally, avoid overcooking the lobster as it will become tough.
Now that the lobster is prepared, you can move on to the next steps of making your cheese lobster dish.
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Cheese sauce
Lobster mac and cheese is a rich and decadent dish that combines tender lobster meat with a creamy cheese sauce and al dente pasta. The cheese sauce is a key component of this dish, providing a creamy texture and a punch of flavour.
To make a basic cheese sauce for lobster mac and cheese, you'll need butter, flour, milk, and cheese. Start by making a roux, which is a mixture of butter and flour cooked together. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in the flour and cook until it forms a thick paste, stirring frequently. This should take about 10 minutes.
Next, slowly whisk in the milk to create a smooth and creamy sauce. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens and simmers. This should take about 10-15 minutes. Ensure the milk is whole milk, as it adds richness and helps create a velvety sauce. You can also add sour cream to enhance the creaminess and flavour of the sauce.
Once you have a thick, smooth sauce, it's time to add the cheese. Good choices for this sauce include Colby Jack, Havarti, Gouda, Gruyere, Cheddar, and Romano. Stir the cheese into the thickened milk mixture until it melts, creating a smooth and cheesy sauce. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
For a spicy kick, you can add red pepper flakes, cayenne, or black pepper to the sauce while cooking. Additionally, you can include seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, and paprika to enhance the flavour of the sauce.
Remember, when making the cheese sauce, it's best to use block cheese and shred it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese can contain anti-caking agents that may affect the sauce's texture and melting ability.
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Macaroni
When preparing the macaroni for Lobster Mac and Cheese, it is important to cook it al dente, which means it should be firm but not hard. This is important because the pasta will continue to cook when it is baked with the cheese and lobster. To cook the macaroni, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions, usually for about 7 to 8 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta and toss it with a small amount of olive oil to prevent it from sticking together.
The type of cheese used in Lobster Mac and Cheese can vary depending on personal preference. Some popular choices include cheddar, Gruyère, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, and Parmesan. It is important to use cheeses that melt well and create a smooth and creamy sauce. To make the cheese sauce, a roux is typically made by cooking butter and flour over medium heat until it forms a paste. Milk and/or cream are then added and whisked until the mixture is smooth and thickened. The heat is turned down, and then the cheese is added and stirred until melted.
Finally, the cooked lobster, which has been chopped into bite-sized pieces, is folded into the macaroni and cheese sauce. This mixture is then transferred to a baking dish and topped with additional cheese and breadcrumbs for a crunchy texture. The dish is baked until the cheese is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
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Assembly
The assembly of the dish depends on the type of cheese lobster you are making. Here are the assembly instructions for two popular variations:
Lobster Mac and Cheese
First, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the water and set the pasta aside. You can use elbow macaroni or another short pasta of your choice.
Next, prepare the cheese sauce. Start by making a roux with butter and flour. Cook this mixture for about a minute, then slowly whisk in milk. Continue whisking and add onion powder, garlic powder, dry mustard, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Once the sauce is smooth and thickened, remove it from the heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted.
Now, it's time to add the lobster. You can use cooked and chopped lobster meat, or you can prepare the lobster yourself by boiling or broiling lobster tails and removing the meat from the shell. Chop the lobster into bite-sized pieces.
Combine the pasta, cheese sauce, and lobster in a large bowl, making sure everything is well mixed. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with breadcrumbs and any remaining shredded cheese.
Bake the lobster mac and cheese until the sauce is bubbly and the top is golden brown. This usually takes around 30 to 35 minutes in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C).
Lobster Grilled Cheese
To assemble a lobster grilled cheese sandwich, start by cooking the lobster meat if necessary. You can air fry, bake, broil, or use an sous vide method for the lobster tail. Remove the meat from the shell and chop it into chunks.
Prepare a mayonnaise sauce by mixing mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, chives, and freshly cracked pepper in a small bowl.
Spread butter on one side of two bread slices and mayonnaise on the other side. Place these slices butter-side down on a griddle or non-stick skillet. Top each slice with cheese, lobster meat, and another sprinkle of cheese.
Place the remaining bread slices on top, butter-side up. Cook the sandwich over medium heat for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.
Feel free to adjust the assembly process based on your personal preferences and the specific ingredients you have on hand. Enjoy your cheese lobster creation!
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Baking
Lobster mac and cheese is a decadent dish that's perfect for special occasions. Here's a guide on how to make it, with a focus on the baking process:
Next, lower the oven temperature to 350-375°F. Prepare your pasta according to the package instructions, cooking it al dente in salted water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Now, it's time to make the cheese sauce. In a pan, heat some olive oil over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about a minute. Then, add butter and allow it to melt. Whisk in flour and cook for approximately one minute. Gradually pour in whole milk or a combination of milk and heavy cream, continuously whisking to create a smooth and thick sauce.
Add seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder, dry mustard, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir in shredded cheese, allowing it to melt. You can use a combination of cheeses such as Colby Jack, Havarti, Gruyere, Cheddar, Romano, or Monterey Jack.
Once the cheese has melted, remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in beaten eggs and butter, if desired. Combine the cooked pasta, lobster meat, and cheese sauce in a large bowl, making sure everything is well-mixed.
Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish. Top with the remaining shredded cheese, ensuring that some lobster pieces remain bare so they are visible after baking. You can also add a crunchy topping of buttery breadcrumbs.
Bake the lobster mac and cheese for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the top is golden brown.
Tips for Baking:
- Avoid overcooking the lobster during the initial baking step, as it will continue to cook in the oven once mixed with the mac and cheese.
- Use good quality, fresh or frozen lobster tails.
- Shred your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese, as it can affect the texture of the sauce.
- If you plan to freeze the dish, cook the pasta al dente to avoid it becoming mushy after thawing.
- Reheat leftovers in a low-heat oven at around 300°F for about 20 minutes.
Enjoy your delicious, cheesy, and decadent baked lobster mac and cheese!
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Frequently asked questions
Cook the lobster tail, remove the meat from the shell, and chop it into chunks. Mix together mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, chives, and pepper. Spread butter on one side of two bread slices and spread mayonnaise on the other side. Place the slices butter-side down on a griddle or skillet, top with cheese and lobster, and sprinkle with more cheese. Top with the remaining slices of bread, butter-side up. Cook for 4-5 minutes, flip, and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
Good cheeses to use for mac and cheese are softer melting cheeses such as gouda, havarti, muenster, or gruyere. While cheddar is a classic choice for mac and cheese, it does not melt well into a creamy sauce.
Cook the pasta in salted water. Cook the lobster in the pasta water, cut the meat into pieces, and set aside. Cook onions in butter, then set aside. Add the shells, milk, shallot, peppercorns, and garlic to the pan and bring to a simmer. Make a roux with butter and flour, then slowly whisk in the milk mixture. Cook until thick, then stir in the cheeses and season. Stir in the meat, onions, and noodles. Transfer to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake until golden brown.
It takes about 30-40 minutes to cook the lobster, make the sauce, cook the noodles, and combine everything.
