Imagine a dish that transforms an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience - our Citrus Buttered Lobster Tails are that magical recipe! Combining the luxurious richness of succulent lobster with bright, zesty citrus notes and golden, aromatic butter, this dish promises to elevate your home cooking from mundane to magnificent. Whether you're planning a romantic dinner or want to impress your guests, these lobster tails are your secret weapon to culinary stardom.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Seafood
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- Lobster tails
- Butter
- Citrus zest (lemon, lime)
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Salt
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: fresh lobster tails, unsalted butter, citrus zest from lemon and lime, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and salt.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the lobster tails.
- While the oven is preheating, prepare the lobster tails. Using kitchen scissors, carefully cut down the top of each lobster tail shell, starting from the wide end to the narrow end. Be careful not to cut all the way through the bottom shell.
- Gently pull apart the shell to expose the lobster meat. You can also lift the meat slightly out of the shell for better presentation and flavor absorption later.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt about 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the citrus zest from both lemon and lime. Add a pinch of salt to taste and mix well.
- Brush the citrus butter mixture generously over the exposed lobster meat, ensuring even coverage. Reserve some of the butter for basting during cooking.
- Place the lobster tails on a baking sheet, shell side down, and transfer them to the preheated oven.
- Bake the lobster tails for about 12-15 minutes, basting with the reserved citrus butter halfway through, until the meat is opaque and cooked through.
- Once cooked, remove the lobster tails from the oven and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for garnish.
- Serve the citrus buttered lobster tails immediately, accompanied by your choice of side dishes, such as a fresh salad or steamed vegetables.
Tips
- Choose fresh, high-quality lobster tails for the best flavor and texture.
- Be precise when cutting the shell - a sharp kitchen scissor makes all the difference.
- Don't overcook! Lobster meat becomes tough and rubbery if baked too long.
- Use unsalted butter to control the salt level in your dish.
- Zest your citrus fruits just before using to capture maximum essential oils and flavor.
- Basting is crucial - it keeps the meat moist and infuses additional flavor.
- Let the lobster tails rest for a minute after cooking to redistribute the juices.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and presentation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 330kcal
Carbohydrates: 2g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 150mg
