Easting a well prepared lobster tail can be one of the most enjoyable experiences possible. While lobster tail can be extremely delicious and decadent, it can be easily ruined if it is not cooked properly. When cooking a lobster tail in the over, there are several steps you should follow to ensure it is properly cooked.
The first step in cooking a lobster tail in the oven is to allow it to thaw. Unless you live in the Northeast United States, you most likely will have received frozen lobster tail. While they are not as fresh, a frozen lobster tail can taste exactly like a fresh lobster tail if it is properly prepared. Preferably, the best way to thaw a frozen lobster tail would be to leave it in a sink at room temperature until it is thawed. However, since this process can take over 12 hours to complete, you may need to use a different method. If you do not have 12 hours to allow the lobster tail to thaw, you could place the tail in room temperature water. Using this method, the tail should thaw in about an hour.
Once the tail is completely thawed, the next step in cooking a lobster tail in the oven is to crack open the tail. This can be done easily using a pair of scissors and requires you to cut down the middle of the tail. When complete, the meat inside of the tail should be showing. Do not take the meat out of the shell prior to cooking, because the shell will prevent the oven heat from drying out the lobster tail meat. If you notice the meat inside of the tail has not thawed completely, you may need to wait another hour or so before proceeding.
The next step in cooking a lobster tail in the oven is to prepare the tail for cooking. While this step can be enhanced with different recipes, the easiest way to prepare the lobster would be to grease a pan with butter and pour in some lemon juice. Place the tail in the middle of the pan, and if you prefer, you can cover the tail with additional juice or butter.
Once the tail is prepared to meet your tastes, the next step is to place it in the oven. The lobster tail should be placed in an oven that is pre-heated to about 375 degrees. Actually cooking the lobster tail is a rather quick process, and depends on the size of the tail you have purchased. A small lobster tail may be cooked in as quickly as 7 to 8 minutes, but a larger lobster tail may take 12 to 15 minutes.
Once the tail has been cooked, it will only need a few minutes to cool. You should be able to easily remove the tail from the shell, and the tail can be served in any fashion you desire. Some great additions to any lobster tail meal include New England clam chowder, grilled vegetables, or baked potatoes.
<>
