Camille’s Cooking: Lobster rolls bring a taste of New England to the table

BY CAMILLE ORICCHIO LOCCISANO

I was raised in a home where reasonable actions were the rule of the day when it came to finances, and my parents were thrifty and smart with their household budget.

However, when it came to food, my parents had few limits on buying the best items available, and they had a strong value and tremendous respect for quality ingredients.

My parents especially adored lobster, and they prepared it in many different ways. My father was a man before his times, and he would even grill it in our backyard.

I followed my parents’ example, and it has been one long eventful road of developing my own lobster recipes and happily serving it to my sons, family and friends. I strongly encourage my readers to enjoy the best food ingredients you can afford, and my lobster roll recipe is a great way to begin!

The glory of creamy lobster salad nestled in a warm buttery New England roll really is priceless. There are a variety of recipes out there for lobster rolls, and there is also a bit of controversy over the best way to prepare them.

In my opinion, whether you are eating one that hails from Maine or from a trendy metropolitan restaurant, you are destined to meet each taste with rich praise.

The following recipe is how I prepare my lobster rolls. You may also use shrimps!

Lobster Rolls

2 pounds lobster meat, cooked and rough chopped

1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped

3 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice

Dash of Tabasco sauce

1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

1 teaspoon fresh chives, chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

8 split-top New England rolls (you may use split-top hot dog rolls)

Butter

 

In a bowl, mix lobster and cucumber. In a separate bowl, whisk mayonnaise, lemon juice and Tabasco. Add mayonnaise mixture to lobster and cucumber. Sprinkle in parsley, chives, salt and pepper. Gently mix to coat the lobster well. Open the rolls and brush with butter. Toast in oven until golden. Spoon lobster into each roll.