Description
Ina Garten’s succulent lobster tail recipe showcases elegant seafood preparation from Barefoot Contessa. Delicate lobster meat paired with rich butter creates a luxurious coastal dining experience for home chefs seeking restaurant-quality results.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 lobster tails
- ¼ cup (60 ml) butter (melted)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tsp thyme (minced)
- 1 tsp rosemary (minced)
- 1 tsp parsley (chopped)
- ½ tsp paprika
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preparation: Position oven rack at the highest level and heat to 500°F (260°C) or broil setting, preparing a baking sheet for cooking.
- Shell Technique: Use sharp kitchen shears to split lobster tail lengthwise, carefully separating meat from shell while maintaining a butterfly presentation, ensuring the meat rests elegantly atop the split shell.
- Seasoning: Liberally season exposed lobster meat with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to amplify its inherent maritime flavors.
- Herb Butter Creation: Whisk melted unsalted butter with minced garlic, fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley, creating a luxurious, aromatic herb-infused sauce.
- Butter Application: Generously drizzle the herbed butter mixture across lobster tails, ensuring complete and even coverage of the delicate meat.
- Broiling Process: Slide baking sheet onto top oven rack, broiling for 8-10 minutes, vigilantly monitoring until meat transforms to a translucent opaque shade with a delicate golden-brown exterior.
- Serving: Remove from oven and, if desired, finish with an additional butter drizzle, serving immediately to preserve the lobster’s exquisite texture and temperature.
Notes
- Butterfly with Care: Use sharp kitchen shears to precisely split the lobster tail, separating meat from shell without tearing for a professional presentation.
- Temperature Matters: Extremely high heat (500°F or broil) ensures quick, even cooking and prevents rubbery texture, so monitor closely during the 8-10 minute cooking window.
- Herb Butter Magic: Whisking fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley into melted butter creates a rich, aromatic sauce that elevates the lobster’s natural sweetness.
- Serving Perfection: Serve immediately after cooking to maintain the lobster’s tender texture and optimal temperature, avoiding overcooking that can make the meat tough and stringy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg