Impromptu Weekday Family Dinner

On Tuesday, I received an unexpected package at my office.  Our friends, Alan and Tonya, sent over four beautiful, fresh Maine lobsters from Boothbay Harbor, Maine as a belated birthday gift.  It was an incredibly generous, surprising and delicious birthday treat!

I had a firm event on Tuesday night, but last night, we brought the lobsters to my parents' house for an impromptu feast (sans my sister, who is sadly allergic to lobster).  Because they were so fresh, the lobsters were still alive and kicking....and I was secretly glad not to have to boil them myself.  My mom happily took the honors.  She was just thrilled to be cooking (and eating) lobster in the winter as this is usually a summer treat.  For me, I was just happy to have a great excuse for all of us to gather together and enjoy a family dinner.

My mom did all of the cooking and everything was simply prepared, yet so delicious.  The asparagus and cauliflower steaks were simply seasoned with olive oil, salt and pepper and roasted in the oven.  The sirloin steaks were similarly seasoned and pan-grilled.  The lobster was boiled to perfection and the meat was so sweet and tender. 

Thanks again to Alan and Tonya for the generous birthday gift...and for giving my family the perfect excuse to sit around, eat and talk during an impromptu weekday family dinner.

The Great Lobster Adventure

During my quick visit with Alicia, we had a mission to knock an item off of my 30 by 30 list - boiling a lobster!

Of course, we procrastinated a little bit by catching up over some vino, indulging at Max's Oyster Bar, and playing with Roscoe, Alicia's adorable puppy...

Seriously, how can you resist this fluff-ball?

...but finally we got to work!  We started out by purchasing two fresh lobsters from Tinker's Seafood that weighed about a pound and a half each. 

We worked up our courage with some glasses of rose and then decided to face the lobsters while the water was boiling.  One of the lobsters was a bit mellow...and the other was a bit mean.  This didn't stop us from goofing around with them during the last minutes before the big boil.

I look frightening in this picture.  I'm also mostly frightened of this lobster.

Roscoe wasn't quite sure what to make of the lobsters...

As a side note, can you tell that we drank a bit of wine?  Ha!

When the water was finally boiling, we got to work.  Since I'm supposed to boil the lobster by myself, I agreed to be the one to put the lobster in the pot while Alicia quickly put a lid on it.  Since we didn't have a stockpot large enough for both lobsters, we cooked them one at a time.  It was honestly less traumatic than we thought, especially since neither of the lobsters struggled or shrieked.

Alicia did a lot of research and we boiled them for about five minutes per pound, or about seven minutes each.  When each lobster was done, we gave it a cold water bath to help stop the cooking.

The end result?  We had the most delicious and messy summer lobster boil that consisted of lobster, red bliss potato and corn with melted butter and Sriracha butter.  Delicious.

I am so glad that Alicia and I decided to conquer the lobster together and I definitely am looking forward to knocking more items off the list with friends because it makes it so much more fun!

Tell me, do you eat boiled lobster?  Have you boiled a lobster yourself?

Happiness in Ogunquit, Maine

Somewhere along our drive up to Ogunquit, my stresses started to melt away.  We opened the windows and breathed in that clean air that you just can't get in Beacon Hill.  I've been here less than twenty-four hours but I already feel myself smiling more, laughing loudly, and leaving my Blackberry behind.  Happiness can be found everywhere....

....from discovering the awesomeness of sunglasses...

...from finding my balance in the waves...

...and writing your name in the sand...

...and always, always, always....in a cold beer and boiled lobster...

Happiness can definitely be found in Maine. 

xoxo