Andy Montoya
Lobster is a luxurious and flavourful crustacean, and when it comes to cheese pairings, there are several options to consider. The type of cheese that goes best with lobster depends on the cooking method and the desired flavour profile. For grilled or baked lobster dishes, rich and creamy cheeses like Gruyere, Havarti, Raclette, or harder cheeses like Parmesan, Asiago, and Pecorino are excellent choices to complement the bold, smoky flavours. On the other hand, if you're preparing poached or steamed lobster, lighter cheeses such as mozzarella, mascarpone, or crème fraîche will maintain the dish's delicate profile. For a sweet and salty flavour sensation, buttery cheeses like Camembert or Gouda are ideal. Lobster grilled cheese sandwiches are also a popular choice, with cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Swiss cheese adding a tangy and buttery kick to the sweet lobster meat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese for Lobster Grilled Cheese | Havarti, Provolone, Swiss, Monterey Jack, White American, Cheddar, Raclette |
| Cheese for Lobster Mac and Cheese | Cheddar, Gruyere |
| Cheese for Baked or Grilled Lobster | Mascarpone, Brie, Camembert, Parmesan, Asiago, Pecorino |
| Cheese for Poached or Steamed Lobster | Mozzarella, Crème Fraîche |
| Cheese for Smoked Lobster | Blue Cheese, Boursin |
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What You'll Learn
Lobster grilled cheese
When it comes to choosing the cheese for this dish, there are several options that pair well with lobster. Buttery and creamy cheeses such as Camembert, Gouda, Brie, and Mascarpone enhance the sweetness of the lobster. Hard cheeses like Parmesan, Asiago, and Pecorino can also be used, adding a bold, smoky flavour to the dish. For a milder flavour, Havarti cheese is a good option as it melts well and has a subtle taste. Other cheese options include Swiss cheese, Provolone, Monterey Jack, or White American cheese.
To make the perfect Lobster Grilled Cheese, start by preparing the lobster. You can use a lobster tail or two, either fresh or frozen. Air frying, baking, broiling, or sous vide are all good methods to cook the lobster, just be careful not to overcook it to avoid toughness. Dice the lobster meat and toss it with lemon juice, lemon zest, and seasonings like Old Bay or lemon Parmesan seasoning.
For the cheese component, shred or slice the chosen cheese. You can use a combination of cheeses for added depth of flavour. Butter two slices of bread and assemble the sandwich by spreading a layer of mayonnaise on one slice and placing the cheese, lobster meat, and another sprinkle of cheese on top. Close the sandwich with the other slice of bread, buttered-side up.
Place the sandwich on a griddle, skillet, or non-stick pan and cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. This should take around 2-3 minutes per side. Serve the Lobster Grilled Cheese immediately while the cheese is still melted and oozing. For a fancier presentation, serve it over a bed of arugula or with a side of crispy potato chips and a cold pickle spear.
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Lobster mac and cheese
To make lobster mac and cheese, start by making a roux with butter, flour, and seasonings. Then, create a cheese sauce using a combination of the cheeses mentioned above. You can also add mustard powder to the sauce for an extra kick of flavour. Next, add the cooked pasta to the sauce, along with half of the lobster meat. Stir to combine, and then spread the mixture into a baking dish. Top with the remaining lobster meat and a breadcrumb topping. Bake until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
Some recipes suggest using a combination of cheeses for an extra indulgent dish. One recipe calls for sharp cheddar, white cheddar, and a parmesan/romano blend, while another uses white sharp cheddar, gruyere, and munster. It is important to shred the cheeses from a block, as pre-shredded cheeses can have additives that affect their melting ability. Additionally, be sure to remove the sauce from the heat before stirring in the cheese, as overheating can cause the cheese to separate or become grainy.
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Baked or grilled lobster
To make a lobster grilled cheese sandwich, you will need lobster meat, cheese, bread, butter, and mayonnaise. You can cook the lobster meat however you like, but be careful not to overcook it, as it can become tough. Air frying or sous vide are recommended methods to achieve perfectly cooked lobster meat. For the cheese, Havarti is a great option as it has a mild flavour and melts well. Other options include provolone, Swiss cheese, Monterey Jack, or even white American cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try cheddar, gruyere, or a combination of both.
To assemble the sandwich, spread butter on one side of the bread slices and mayonnaise on the other side. Place the bread slices, butter-side down, on a griddle or nonstick skillet. Top with cheese, followed by lobster meat, and then another sprinkle of cheese. Close the sandwich with another slice of bread, butter-side up. Cook the sandwich for about 4-5 minutes on each side until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
For an extra flavour boost, you can create a spice rub with salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, onion salt, and crushed red pepper. Mix this spice blend with the lobster meat before placing it on the bread. You can also experiment with different types of bread, such as a crunchy French baguette, to add a unique texture to your sandwich.
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Poached or steamed lobster
To poach lobster, you must first thaw the frozen meat. This can be done by placing the bag of meat in a small dish and leaving it in the refrigerator overnight, or by placing it in a dish and covering it with cool water. Once the meat is thawed, drain the juice and add water and butter to a pan. Bring it to a boil, then turn the heat down to low and place the meat into the water, ensuring it is covered by the liquid.
Lobster should be poached for about 5-8 minutes, with the butter temperature kept between 160-180°F. Use a thermometer to check that the inside of the lobster reaches 135-140°F to ensure the meat is cooked without being overdone. Flip the lobster and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until it is bright white and firm.
Poached lobster is best served immediately, but it can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days if covered and kept in the poaching liquid. To reheat, simply add the lobster and liquid to a saucepan and heat over low heat.
As for steamed lobster, this cooking method is quick and helps retain the natural flavour of the meat without drying it out. Steaming is a good option if you prefer a more natural taste, as opposed to the richer flavour of poached lobster.
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Lobster crostini
Ingredients
- 2 lobsters
- 1 baguette
- 1 cucumber
- 1 tomato
- Mayonnaise
- Dill
- Red onion
- Celery
- Lemon
- Black pepper
- Olive oil
Method
First, cook the lobsters. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the lobsters and secure the lid to steam them for 12 minutes. Remove the lobster meat from the shells and chop it into half-inch pieces.
Next, make the crostini. Preheat the oven to 300°F. Cut the baguette into thirds lengthwise and place the slices on a baking sheet. Drizzle the slices with olive oil and bake for 7 minutes until toasted.
While the bread cooks, make the lobster salad. Mix together the lobster, mayonnaise, dill, finely diced celery, red onion, and lemon juice.
To assemble the crostini, top each slice of bread with a slice of cucumber, a slice of tomato, about a teaspoon of lobster salad, half a teaspoon of aioli, and a sprig of dill. Finish with a grind of black pepper and serve immediately.
Cheese Pairings
Lobster pairs well with creamy, buttery cheeses such as Havarti, mascarpone, brie, camembert, or gouda. For a grilled lobster crostini, you could try a combination of lobster, cheese, and a lemon mayo mixture.
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Frequently asked questions
Sweet and salty lobster pairs well with creamy, buttery cheeses like mascarpone, brie, camembert, gouda, Monterey jack, raclette, or cheddar. Blue cheese is also a good option for those who enjoy its strong flavor.
Lobster grilled cheese is a popular choice, as are lobster mac and cheese, lobster risotto, and lobster pasta.
You can use frozen or fresh lobster meat. If you want to add more seafood to your dish, you can also swap out some of the lobster for crab meat.
