Lobster Tales: Health Benefits (and A Recipe)
Thursday, December 1st, 2011Lobster is high in protein, low fat, and, well, delicious. The health benefits of lobster have been pored over and we can all agree that lobster meat is beneficial. Like lean steak, lobster has no less than thirty grams of protein per 5 oz serving. But lobster has less fat than red meat. And lobster is not only low in fat, it has less cholesterol than chicken breast.
Lobster also happens to be perfect for a diet without carbohydrates or focused on a low glycemic index. And, on a Weightwatcher System, lobster only counts for four points.
Lobster meat contains 10-20 percent of the USDA recommended daily value of potassium, selenium, zinc, phosphorus, copper and vitamin B12.
- Selenium helps the immune system and thyroid gland and can also help prevent heart disease.
- Diseases of bones and tissues can be prevented by diet with a high copper. Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy nerve and red blood cells.
- Phosphorus contributes to the smooth functioning of the kidneys and reduces arthritis. Increased activity of the brain, a strengthened immune system and healthy reproductive organs are all benefits of the consumption of zinc.
- Finally, potassium is credited with help function of your heart. The advantages ofOmega 3 fatty acids range from reducing the risk of heart attack by lowering blood pressure.
- And like other types of seafood, lobster also contains a high omega-3 fatty acid, which is really good for the heart and brain.
Lobster is ideal for people on a diet or for people following a healthy lifestyle but who also want a wider of foods to eat (besides the usual — which can sometimes be bland).
Lobster’s combination of taste and health benefits make it a truly unique food, which should make it a must-have for healthy eating. And so you’re forced to go to any Boca Raton restaurants for good lobster, below is a recipe for the perfect lobster treat:
The Perfect Lobster Roll (Serves 2)
Ingredients:
Lemon Mayonnaise
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup canola oil
Lobster
2 live 1-1/4 pound lobsters
Sea salt
Lemon mayonnaise (see recipe)
Roll
2 Hamburger Buns (no sesame seeds)
Lemon mayonnaise (see recipe)
Preparation:
Lemon Mayonnaise
1. Combine the egg yolk, lemon juice and salt in the covered jar of a blender. Whirr at high speed to combine.
2. Turn the speed to medium and slowly add the canola oil in a thin stream. (To prevent splattering, keep the blender jar mostly covered while you are pouring in the oil.) If the blender clogs before you have finished adding the oil, turn off the machine, scrape down the sides and stir the contents with a rubber spatula. You can also add a little more lemon juice if necessary, but no more than a teaspoon.
3. Decant into a clean jar and set aside. The mayonnaise will be fairly bland at first, but after 5 or 10 minutes the citrus flavor will come to the fore.
Lobster Roll
1. To boil the lobsters, follow the instructions in steps 1-3 of the recipe in The Week of Eating Lobster.
2. When they are cool enough to handle, crack the claws and joints with a mallet or small hammer and remove the meat. Using kitchen shears or scissors, slit the underside of the tail up the middle and remove the meat. You can also extract every morsel from the legs and the “fan” of the tail section with a lobster pick or the tip of a sharp paring knife. Don’t forget the chunk of meat where the tail section meets the body cavity.
3. Cut the lobster meat into large, bite-size chunks and let cool to room temperature. This will only take a few minutes.
4. Add 2 tablespoons of lemon mayonnaise to the lobster and taste. Add more, if you like, but do not smother the lobster. The mayonnaise should be added with a light hand. Set aside but do not refrigerate—unless you are making this ahead.
5. Split the hamburger buns and lay the tops and bottoms on the kitchen counter. Flatten each half by pressing down firmly with your hand or with the bottom of a clean, heavy saucepan.
6. Toast the buns all the way through. They should be moderately brown on all sides, but not dark and certainly not even the tiniest bit burned. (You may need to do a trial run to determine the right setting for your own toaster.)
Chef’s Tip: Assemble the lobster roll by spreading the inside of each bun, top and bottom, with 1 or 2 teaspoons of mayonnaise. Pile half the lobster on the bottom of each bun and cover with the top.