Barbecued California Spiny Lobster Food

HERB-GRILLED SPINY PACIFIC LOBSTER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Preheat the grill to high.
• Split lobsters; butterfly from the top and remove intestines. Rinse head area in cold water to remove any waste matter.
• In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, and all of the garlic and chopped herbs. Set aside.
• Brush lobsters lightly with remaining oil and grill for approximately 5 minutes, meaty side down. Turn halfway through for grill marking and even cooking. Remove lobsters from grill, and place on a sheet pan, meaty side up. Coat with the herb and garlic mixture and season with salt and pepper. Place 2 pieces of butter on each lobster tail and put in the oven for approximately 10 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix the clarified butter mixed with the lemon juice. Drizzle over lobster as a sauce. Garnish with lemon wedges.

GRILLED CALIFORNIA SPINY LOBSTER

Steps:

• Pre-heat grill to medium-high heat.
• Fill large stockpot with water and bring to a boil.
• Place two lobsters headfirst into boiling water and poach for about 5 minutes once the water returns to a boil. (They will not be fully cooked, but will continue to cook on the grill later.)
• Use tongs to remove the lobster and let cool for about 10 minutes or place in a large bowl of ice water before handling.
• Use a cleaver to cut the lobsters lengthwise down the middle. Use a knife to remove the green liver known as tomalley, and give them a quick rinse to wash off any waste.
• Mix melted butter and minced garlic and brush mixture onto the meat side of the lobsters. 
• Grill the lobsters meat side down for 3-5 minutes, flip and brush more garlic butter on the meat, and cook for another 3-5 minutes with meat side up. 
• Serve with lemon wedges.

GRILLED CALIFORNIA LOBSTER

Steps:

• Preheat a grill or an oven broiler.
• Place the lobsters in boiling water for 6 to 8 minutes, 4 minutes for every pound. Make sure not to overcook the lobsters. Split the lobsters in half from head to tail and rinse out the gut material. Lightly brush melted butter on to the meat side of the lobster and broil in the oven meat side up or on a grill, meat side down. Cook the lobsters until lightly browned on the meat side.

SPINY LOBSTER WITH SANTA BARBARA CHANTERELLES AND LEMON PANCETTA RIESLING SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling water, blanch lobsters for 2 minutes, then shock in ice water. Once the lobster is chilled, remove the tail from the head and split the tail in half. Remove the meat and discard the shell. Season the lobster meat with the salt and pepper and set aside.
• In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook pancetta in olive oil. Once the pancetta begins to brown, add the seasoned lobster meat. Sear the lobster on all sides, then reduce heat and cook until the lobster is slightly underdone, about 2 to 4 minutes.
• Remove the lobster from the pan and add the chanterelles. Saute the chanterelles lightly, then add the shallots. Deglaze with the Riesling and reduce to 2 tablespoons, about 2 minutes. Add the chicken stock and reduce to about 1/4 cup. Add the cream and bring to a boil, then finish with the butter, lemon juice to taste, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, place braised greens (if using) in the center of each plate. Place 2 lobster tail halves on top and dress the plate with the sauce. Serve with braised greens, if desired.

GRILLED CRAYFISH (OR SPINY LOBSTER) WITH DRESSINGS

Steps:

• Regardless on the size of your crayfish, they are best cooked whole. This way the carapace acts like an oven itself, whereby the shell heats up and bakes the flesh inside.
• However, if you are cooking a fairly large crayfish it's advisable to split it down the back with a sharp heavy knife. This will help it to cook quicker and make it more manageable to serve once it's cooked.
• I love cooking it on a barbecue, but it can be cooked just as well at home under a domestic grill, if split in half. Cooking times will vary, but a whole crayfish of around 1 to 1 3/4 pounds will take about 15 to 20 minutes above a hot barbecue, turning it around to cook through evenly. If the crayfish is halved, it will take between 10 to 15 minutes. A large crayfish, around 2 pounds, will take 25 to 35 minutes and if split, about 15 minutes.
• Serve grilled crayfish very simply with a little olive oil and lemon juice, or melted butter. However, the following dressings add a little oomph to this delicious meat.
• Place all of the above in a blender and puree to a thick dressing. Taste for seasoning, then let rest for at least 30 minutes before serving.
• Heat the butter in a small pan, when it?s bubbling add the onion and chile and cook over a moderate heat until the onion just begins to soften, about 2 minutes. Take it off the heat, stir in the juice, cilantro, and salt. Serve immediately.

GRILLED LOBSTER WITH CREAMY CHILI VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Mix first 8 ingredients in medium bowl. Whisk in 3/4 cup oil. Season vinaigrette with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Rinse under cold water to cool. Drain. (Can be made 2 hours ahead.) Set aside.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-low heat) or preheat broiler. Brush lobster tails with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Place lobster tails, meat side down, on grill. Grill 3 minutes. Turn over; grill until meat is opaque in center, about 5 minutes. Transfer to plate. Tent with foil.
• Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add pasta, chives and parsley; toss until heated through. Place pasta on plates. Top with lobster. Garnish with lemon. Serve with vinaigrette.
• *Available at Asian markets and in many supermarkets.