Lobster Rolls

For a time before my adoption, I lived with or spent weekends at my grandparents house in North Reading, Massachusetts. A far north suburb of Boston. Each summer, I remember having the chance to have two lobster rolls. When the Eastern Star lodge, and when their church, had fund raisers.

When I got older, and could drive myself up for visits to my grandparents house. We would sometimes get lobster rolls from a local fish market, called the Lobster Claw. This special treat was amazing, and something I always look forward too. The buttery toasted top split hot dog bun, the rich, sweet, and creamy lobster meat. It was magic in your mouth.

After my adoption, we would visit my dad's parent summer homes on Cape Cod (Chatham) or in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Lobster, and other local seafood was a major part of each visit. I love that as well, but it a different set of memories, and for another entry.

In Norwich, Connecticut, Their was this super fish market called Seafood, Ect. It was a  super shop that served the community.. Sadly, it burned down shortly before my parents moved away. They had plans to rebuild, but I never found out if it happened or not. I can't recall, but would guess that my parents would get lobster rolls sometimes. They visited this shop a lot. In the summer it could be 2 or 3 times in a week. 

My children have tried lobster before, but not in a lobster roll. They didn't dislike, but it was a big hit as well. This just left more for me, so I have never pushed them to like it or even try it again.

The following are two lobster roll recipes from the July / August 2012 issue of Food Network Magazine:

Maine - Style

Fill a large steamer or pot with about 2 inches of water. Add 1 tablespoon of sea salt and bring to a boil over medium heat. Put 2 lobsters (about 1 1/2 pounds each) in the steamer basket or directly in the pot; cover and steam until shells turn bright red, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the lobsters and rinse under cold water until slightly cool. Remove the meat from the shells and roughly chop; chill the meat. Mix 1/3 cup of mayonnaise, 1/4 cup of diced celery, and the zest and juice of 1 lemon in a bowl. Stir in the chilled lobster meat and season with salt. Divide among 4 split-top hog dog buns and top with celery leaves.

Connecticut - Style
Fill a large steamer or pot with about 2 inches of water. Add 1 tablespoon of sea salt and bring to a boil over medium heat. Put 2 lobsters (about 1 1/2 pounds each) in the steamer basket or directly in the pot; cover and steam until shells turn bright red, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the lobsters and rinse under cold water until slightly cool. Remove the meat from the shells and roughly chop. Melt 1 stick unsalted butter in a saucepan with the juice of 1 lemon, and 1/8 teaspoon of paprika. Remove from heat; stir in the lobster meat and season with salt. Divide among 4 split- top hot dog buns. Serve Warm.


This next recipe is the most complicated I have seen, but looks wonderful and tasty, so I had to make it part of my entry. You can find it, and its sub-parts in Jasper White's, The Summer Shack Cookbook. 

Classic Maine Lobster Roll
4 New England -style hot dog buns
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
4 Boston or Bibb lettuce leaves, washed and dried
Lobster Salad*
4 dill pickle spears
Potato chips

1) Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Spread the sides of the hot dog buns with the butter, using 1/2 tablespoon on each side. Place the buttered buns in the hot pan and toast, without moving, until golden brown on one side, about a minute, Turn and cook the other side, about 1 minute more. Remove from heat.

2) Open the buns and place in paper bun holders or on a small plates. Place a lettuce leave to the side of each bun. Divide the lobster salad evenly among them. Serve with the pickles and potato chips on the side.

*Lobster Salad
1 pound cooked lobster meat or 5 pounds live lobster
1 small to medium cucumber (4 to 5 ounces), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/4 inch dice
1/2 cup Jasper's Lobster Mayonnaise** or Mayonnaise
2 or 3 small scallions, trimmed, and thinly sliced
Freshly ground black pepper
Kosher or Sea Salt if needed

1) if you are using live lobsters , steam them until fully cooked and allow to cool to room temperature. Crack and remove the meat from the claws, knuckles, and tails. Remove any cartilage from the claws and intestine from the tails

2) Cut the lobster meat into 1/2 to 3/4-inch dice. If using whole lobsters, you can pick all the meat from the carcasses and add it to the meat.

3) Place the diced cucumber in a colander and let stand for at least 5 minutes to drain the excess liquid.

4) Combine the lobster, cucumber, mayonnaise, and scallions in a bowl. Season with a bit of pepper if needed, Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.

**Jasper's Lobster Mayonnaise
3/4 cup Homemade Mayonnaise*** or just Mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Dash of Tabasco sauce
1 tablespoon ice water
1 teaspoon of fresh tarragon and/or
2 teaspoons of fresh chervil

1) Combine the mayonnaise, mustard, Tabasco, and ice water in a small bowl and whisk well to combine. Fold in the tarragon or chervil. Transfer to a bowl or other container, cover   tightly, and refrigerate until ready to use. The mayonnaise will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

***Homemade Mayonnaise
3 large egg yolks
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 cups grapeseed or canola oil
1 tablespoon ice water
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
small pinch of cayenne pepper
freshly ground black pepper to taste

1) Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and whisk very well. Or, if you have the technology, mix the vinaigrette with a handheld mixer; or place the mixture (in two batches) in a blender jar and combine on low speed for 10 seconds, or blend (in two batches) in a food processor.

2) Transfer to a quart jar with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate until ready to use. The vinaigrette keeps refrigerated for up to 3 weeks; shake or stir before using.

Makes: 4 Buns

Voting: A Legacy And Our Civic Duty

On Tuesday, June 26th, 2012, I had a chance to cast my first vote in Utah.  As always, my children stood beside me and watched as I completed the process...

You must have reached the age of 18 years here in America before you vote.  In some states, they let you register a bit early as long as you'll be 18 by the time the next election is held.

Long before I had reached the proper age, my parents would take me with them when they would cast their votes.  I would see the process, and stand in the voting booth with them.  In the car, sometimes we talked about why they voted the way they did. Most of the time I agreed, at times I didn't.

By my parents example, I came to understand just how important it was to vote as a citizen of the United States of America. This left a major impression on me.  My parents, when I was living with them, never missed an opportunity to vote.

Voting is something special.  At first, it was only white, male, land owners who could vote, but then it was all males.  Later on women, and African - Americans got the right to vote.  This wasn't easy thing to accomplish.  In fact, it was a hard, and long struggle for both groups.

Even today, if you're convicted of a serious felony, you can (may) lose the right to vote.  Sometime you can get the right to vote restored, but often that is not the case.

When I cast my very first vote for Clinton - Gore in 1996, I was doing something a lot of people my age were not doing.  Not many people under 25 vote, if they register at all.  This is why most politicians don't listen to the concerns of this age group.

Just like my parents, I'm doing my own little part to change this. This is why I take my children with me when I cast my votes.  I'm teaching them about the process, and how to vote on the modern machines.  I try to explain to them why I voted or didn't vote for a certain person, or ballot question.

I would love for them to be loyal Democrats, that is my hope for them.  That said, It doesn't matter what party they associate with as long as they register, and vote in each primary and general election.  Moreover, I wish them to be informed voters and, if nothing else, know the basics of the issues.

I hope that I'm raising a couple of....

Happy Father's Day

My family and I would like to wish all Dads a Happy  Father's Day, and also to the single mothers who have to fill both roles..

I was adopted at age 10, so I have a birth father as well as the amazing, honorable man I consider and call my dad.

Less then a month ago, I almost lost my father. He was in the hospital and, at one point, he needed to be resuscitated 3 times with CPR and paddles.

I'm very happy to tell you he is on his way to a full recovery after a few surgeries.  As I write this, he is at a rehab center, and looking forward to returning to his retirement complex soon.

For this reason, Father's Day has become more important to me than in past years.  It has also caused me to reflect on our relationship, and just how much my father means to me.

My Dad and I are two very different people. We often see things differently as well.  My mom was often the peacemaker. Since she passed away 3 years ago, we have had to work hard on our relationship.  It's not always easy or fun, but always worth it.  We have come a long way together.

I'm so thankful for all that he has done for me.  I will never forget that he, along with my mom, chose me to adopt. I wasn't the easiest child to raise growing up, and that is a large understatement.  I still have my moments.  He does a lot for my children as well.

One of my dad and mine's favorite family stories is from when I was newly adopted.  My grandfather had run my dad down over something new he was trying.  I took offense, and got in his face about it.  This was just something you didn't do to my grandfather; no one dared to confront him.  Anyway, when things calmed down, my dad got his first apology from his own father... we often laugh about it now.  In fact it was one of the first things he talked about with me after coming out of surgery.

When I was growing up, most Saturday's were time with dad.  We went to local high school football games, to attractions in the area, to state parks, out for ice cream or McD's, and much more...  we had some crazy adventures together.  Some of my favorite memories are going to the beach in Stonington, seeing where he lived as a teen, and taking a ferry ride across the Connecticut River.

I try to have many adventures with my own children.  I really hope I'm helping to create great memories that will last a lifetime. Maybe they will be inspired to have great adventures with their own children in time.

My father is an amazing man.  I love him so much!  I'm now hitting that stage in life where I've stopped fighting being like my parents, and instead realize it's not a bad thing that, in some ways,  I'm just like him.

Again, have a most joyous Father's Day,
Goddess Blessing )O(