Simple Pleasures

(Lobster Pots via Clyde Barrett's photostream)

You know the old saying, the most simple things in life are usually the best. I believe that saying holds so true, especially with food. The tough part is that the when preparing simple items they are usually the most challenging to pull off correctly since they usually rely completely on their own characteristics.

This morning I was reminded of how delicious a simple item can be as I was making a lobster butter. What a simple pleasure! Drawn or clarified butter with inherent lobster flavor. What could be better? We all know how well butter and lobster go together, it's melted butter you're dipping that lobster tail in, and for me, the combination takes me back to sitting sea side in a small coastal town. Well, combining the flavors will allow not only for this, but for you to use it as a dipping sauce for vegetables, a butter sauce for another fish, or simply as a rich foil to dip your sour dough bread in (that’s what I like).

Four ingredients, that’s all. Lobster shells, butter, tomato and tarragon and a pan to combine them in. Next time you buy lobster to cook at home, when you are finished eating all the tail, claws and knuckles, save the heads and shells and the next day prepare a butter that you’ll never seem to get enough of.

One secret you must know is that most of the flavor is in the lobster head so don’t lose that, the rest of the shells will give off some flavor but without the head it won’t be special. Next, remove the gills from the inside of the head, but keep everything else. The gills are bitter, toss them out. You are now in business. Get your pan hot, very hot! Add a touch of oil and sear your lobster shells, head included in the oil. Add the tomato and toss around with the shells for a few minutes, now add the butter and tarragon. Done! Turn down the heat and allow the butter to melt and clarify. This can take about 20 minutes at medium heat. Your butter will be a bright orange/red color with a sweet lobster flavor. Strain the butter and use it as you like. Freeze it and save it for when your friends come over. But never again throw away your lobster left overs!