Lobster with Spicy Sauce
Lobster recipes can be daunting, I get it. You take awkwardly flailing crustaceans home and stare them in the eyes as you dunk them into boiling water. It’s a serious culinary commitment. But what makes a more decadent and romantic Valentine’s Day dinner than a steaming ruby-red lobster sitting on a plate? Absolutely nothing. Why not consider giving Lobster Fra Diavolo a try this Valentines Day… for your Sugarloaf, or whatever you call him/her.
Grilled Lobster + Pasta
A few years ago, Lt. Dan and I took a week-long vacation (without children) to the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis. We spent most of our days lying on the beach or hiking and our evenings trying to hunt down the best local seafood joints. Our most memorable meal was at an open-air bar, right on the water. Fishermen brought in freshly caught lobsters and we watched as the “chefs” standing behind an open grill, aggressively whacked the lobsters in half and placed them on the flames. They were then slathered in garlic butter and served sizzling hot. I had never tasted lobster so good in all my life.
Lobster Fra Diavolo
So today, I thought I’d combine my two favorite lobster recipes, fresh grilled lobster and spicy comforting Lobster Diavolo, for a magnificent Valentine’s feast for two. Lobster Fra Diavolo is the perfect way to enjoy lobster, in my opinion. On one hand you have tender sweet lobster meat with a slight smoky quality from the grill. Then you have piles of pasta bathed in a rich spicy fra diavolo sauce, kissed with lobster juices and cognac. Fra Diavolo means “Brother Devil” in Italian, so you can guess it’s meant to be spicy. But of course, you can adjust the spice to your liking. I also add sweet fennel and a touch of cream to the sauce. It balances out the heat and offers an extra bit of luxury to this dish.
How To Make Lobster Fra Diavolo
Start by placing the live lobsters in the freezer for about 30 minutes. This numbs the lobsters, making the process more humane and bearable for all involved. Then quickly and forcefully cut the lobsters right down the center from head to tail. The hard part is officially over. Slather the insides of the lobsters with garlic butter, salt and pepper. Then place the lobsters on a hot grill, shell side down. Meanwhile, saute onions, garlic, and fennel until soft and tender. Add the cognac, tomatoes, clam juice, and crushed red pepper until thick and bubbly. Pick the lobster meat out of one whole lobster, leaving the other 2 halves intact. Add the cream, lobster juices, and meat to the sauce and toss in the al dente pasta. Place the remaining lobster halves on serving plates. Then slather them with more garlic butter. Finally pile the pasta high on top of the two plated lobsters and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. These lobster recipes come together so perfectly, you would think all lobsters should be grilled and mixed into fra diavolo. And your sweetheart will think you’re a genius… and brave! Share This Recipe With Friends!
