When you crave lobster but don’t want to break the bank, imitating a lobster dish with your favorite ingredients is a great way to enjoy a tasty seafood meal that’s far less expensive in the long run.
This imitation lobster recipe is one of many that are sure to satisfy your cravings.
What ingredients are needed for an imitation lobster recipe ?
Although imitation lobster recipes vary in preparation, ingredients and flavorings, there are certain staples that are usually included in any imitation lobster dish.
For example, a light touch with the spices is usually the staple here, as many prefer the taste of mild spice without being overpowered.
This milder taste comes from the spices being mixed with a good amount of butter or oil to create a flavorful coating.
Here are some other common ingredients which are commonly found in imitation lobster recipes:
- Lobster meat
- Low fat milk
- Butter
- Parmesan cheese
- Garlic
- salt
In addition to these ingredients, look for other interesting additions such as:
1. Fresh or frozen lobster meat
One of the most common additions to an imitation lobster recipe is fresh or frozen lobster meat.
With this option you can enjoy the best of both worlds – fresh lobsters and deep-fried seafood.
You’ll have the best of both world’s when it comes to this ingredient because it allows you to have both fall-off-the-bone and deep fried foods in one delicious dish.
“Frozen lobsters are much less expensive than fresh,” says Rachel Heyman, R.D., author of The Ultimate Nutrition Guide for Vegetarians and Vegans “They have more flavor and can be cut into smaller pieces, so they’re perfect for people who want to enjoy both types of seafood.”
2. Low fat milk
“There’s more than one kind,” Heyman says. “The kind used here is skimmed milk, which has reduced fat and cholesterol, but still tastes great.”
3. Butter, melted
“This is another ingredient that helps give the dish its unique flavor,” Heyman says.
“You don’t want to use margarine because it won’t taste right.”
Not only does butter provide a delectable flavor, it also adds a nice creamy texture – something that you won’t get with margarine.
How is imitation lobster typically prepared ?
The term “imitation lobster recipe” is tossed around quite a bit.
This type of dish is actually made a lot like a real lobster, but with relatively minor changes to the ingredients and cooking method.
In many cases, imitation lobster recipes are very successful in capturing the flavors of real lobster dishes, in particular their succulent texture.
In order to make an imitation lobster recipe that tastes like real lobster, however, you will need to complement it with a few other ingredients.
Some of these ingredients include:
How long does an imitation lobster recipe take to cook ?
There are a few different ways to go about cooking an imitation lobster recipe.
Some recipes require the actual seafood to be cooked, while others use a dry rub or marinade and then finish it off in the oven or on the grill.
The result is that it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour for your dish to cook.
If you’re pressed for time and need your meal ready when you get home from work, make sure to pick one of the recipes that combine these cooking styles.
Imitation lobster recipes are typically much cheaper than their real-deal counterpart so you can enjoy a taste of true seafood without breaking the bank.
Here’s how long it takes to cook imitation lobster recipes.
What type of seasoning is typically used in an imitation lobster recipe ?
Seasonings are key to making an imitation lobster recipe.
As you can see on the following page, there are several ingredients that are essential in ensuring a succulent lobster taste:
- Lobster stock
- Vegetable oil
- Butter
- Heavy cream or milk
- Salt and pepper
As long as the right amount of these ingredients is used, the results can be impressive.
Try adding a few drops of red food coloring to the milk to achieve a darker color.
Some of these items can be found at most grocery stores, and others will be found at a local specialty shop.
Are there any special techniques required to make an imitation lobster recipe ?
Like all good recipes, the ingredients are paramount to a tasty dish.
If you’re using imitation lobster pieces and pieces of lobster, the only “special technique” you need to remember is that they are seared in a hot pan before being added to the sauce.
That said, this recipe makes excellent use of fresh lobster meat, so don’t worry about too much additional effort in that realm.
What types of accompaniments can be served with an imitation lobster recipe ?
At its core, this imitation lobster recipe is a simple one. It contains all the ingredients you’d expect to find in a traditional lobster recipe.
The only difference is that it’s made with a whole lot less money.
As such, this dish will be great if you have people over who won’t be able to eat as much seafood as usual, or if you’re cooking for a group and you don’t want to break the bank.
It’s also a perfect way to prepare meat at home without having to buy anything special.
However, you can always add some nice sides to this dish as well.
Here’s how:
Is imitation lobster a healthy alternative to traditional lobster recipes ?
This recipe uses imitation lobster as a substitute for traditional lobster.
Both types of lobsters are equally delicious, but one is quite a bit more expensive than the other.
This imitation lobster recipe uses ingredients that are easy to find at your local grocery store and it’s prepared in a way that’s just as healthy and delicious.
This recipe takes advantage of healthy alternate protein sources.
The eggs are an alternative source of protein, while the shrimp is an alternative source of calcium.
This imitation lobster recipe should be healthy enough to satisfy your cravings – at least as much as traditional lobster recipes.
What are the benefits of using imitation lobster in recipes ?
In the world of seafood, there’s a huge range of options to choose from.
There’s lobster and shrimp, octopus and tuna, mackerel and cod.
Imitation lobster recipes are more specific, however.
They’ll typically use chicken or fish stock to create the right texture and flavor — and sometimes even add in some spices to give it a little extra kick.
Using imitation lobster recipes makes it easy for you to bring home a taste of the ocean without breaking the bank.
The great thing is that you don’t have to be a professional chef or a gourmet chef to create a fantastic and satisfying meal that will impress your friends, family, or coworkers.
Are there any tips or tricks to creating a successful imitation lobster recipe ?
Though it can be tricky to create an imitated dish that tastes like real lobster, imitation lobster recipes are a great way to enjoy seafood without breaking the bank.
This recipe is only one of many imitation lobster recipes that you can try.
If you’re interested in experimenting with lobster recipes, here are a few tips and tricks to experiment with.
Try different seasonings
You can adjust the seasoning in any imitation recipe of course, but everyone has their favorite version of how much seasoning they like in their seafood.
Try varying the amount of seasoning you use in your imitation lobster recipe to see what kind of result it gives you.
Use a more affordable alternative for shellfish
Lobster is one of the most expensive options for shellfish, if not the most expensive.
If you find yourself wanting to try out an imitation lobster recipe but don’t really want to spend any money at all on seafood, try using inexpensive alternatives for some of your shellfish.
Whitefish fillets are a great option for imitation lobster recipes, as are halibut fillet or cod fillets.
Try using frozen shellfish
When considering an imitation lobster recipe, frozen products are a good place to start.
Frozen shrimp and scallops come in extremely handy when trying to imitate lobster dishes as they allow you to use cheaper alternatives that still taste great.
Are there any regional variations on imitation lobster recipes ?
There are many variations of the humble imitation lobster recipe.
They typically include ingredients such as boiled eggs, bacon, scallions and other flavorful additions that are sure to make you forget that what you’re eating is actually imitation of a real lobster.
What’s great about these recipes is that they allow you to enjoy the succulent taste of seafood at a fraction of the cost that you would spend on a traditional dish.
Equipment
- 1 Saucepan
Ingredients
- 8 ounces lobster meat
- 16 ounces dry pasta
- ⅓ cup butter
- ⅓ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper to taste
- 2 ¾ cups milk
- ½ cup light cream
- ½ cup fresh parmesan cheese
- 1 ¼ cups Gruyere cheese
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon parsley chopped
Instructions
- Set the oven to 400 °F. Butter a 9×13 pan. In a small dish, mix the ingredients for the topping. Place aside.
- Follow the directions on the package to prepare pasta al dente. Drain, rinse with ice water, and set aside.Melt butter in a pot over medium heat as the pasta cooks. Cook for two minutes after adding the flour and spices.
- Mix milk and cream together. Add gradually, whisking after each addition, to the flour mixture. The mixture will first be fairly thick but will level out as you add more liquid.Bring the mixture to a boil after adding all of the liquid. While whisking, lower heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.
- Once the sauce is smooth and the cheeses have melted, turn the heat off.Pasta and sauce should be combined. Spread onto the prepared pan after gently incorporating half of the lobster flesh.
- Sprinkle the topping mixture on top of the leftover lobster flesh.Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until topping is golden and bubbling. Avoid overcooking.
Nutrition
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