Lobster Rolls

Lobster Roll

“Hello again, its been too long…..”

I don’t have a ton of followers so maybe nobody noticed I was gone.  However, for those that do follow, my wife and I just got back from a short, much needed vacation.  We spent 4 days in Virginia.  2.5 days on a working cattle farm in the mountains near George Washington National Forest and 1.5 days touring vineyards on the wine trails outside of Charlottesville.  2 trips in one…but each enjoyable in their own way.

An old barn on the 300 acre farm

During our stay in the mountains we rode bikes, drove a golf cart around the 300 acre farm, swam, lounged, read, and watched plenty of wildlife (newly born deer, cows, a black bear cub — sans mama, and 2 highly entertaining hummingbirds to name a few).

We were fascinated by the hummingbirds.

We also drank a few beers and cocktails.

Red Stag Wild Cherry (Jim Beam) and Coke = Spiked Cherry Coke!

And of course we ate!

The farm was extremely relaxing but it was fairly remote.  Therefore I had to do all of the shopping before we left. I had to plan breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the days on the farm.  While I enjoy cooking, I didn’t want to spend my entire vacation slaving over a stove.  I chose meals that I could grill, were quick, and didn’t require a lot of prep work.  With list in hand I headed to the grocery store where I picked up steak, a few pork chops to make basil garlic grilled pork chops, and a pork tenderloin for grilled pork tacos.  I picked up hot dogs and hamburgers too.

But while shopping a big sign caught my attention.  “LOBSTERFEST!”  All whole lobsters were on sale.  $6.99 or $8.99 each depending on if you bought them live or steamed.

How could I pass up this bargain?  Answer was, I couldn’t.  I searched the cooler and found 2 of the biggest ones I could find.  They were all the same price so I might as well get the most meat I could.    Without question lobster rolls would be what I would make with my impromptu purchase.  The rolls were a delectable option for a lunch while sitting poolside even if I had to endure the snide comment of my wife who said “you know, most people don’t make lobster rolls on vacation.”  To which I replied, “its good right?”  She just smiled that beautiful smile.

Ingredients:

Simple!

• 2 Whole Maine Lobsters, Steamed
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
• Kosher Salt and Pepper to taste
• Lemon Wedges
• Hot Dog Rolls (top split if you can find them)

Gently crack open each lobster, keeping as much of the meat whole as possible.

I did a decent job keeping it intact

Chop the lobster in to large size pieces and add to a large mixing bowl.

Chop in to large, but bite size pieces

Add mayonaise and a little salt and pepper and gently fold the ingredients to incorporate, trying not to break the lobster.

The goal is to taste the lobster, not the mayo…so just a little bit of mayo is all that’s needed to bind.

Fill rolls with lobster (I added a few pieces of iceberg for texture) and top with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice.

Nothing to it —- but oh so good!