Fresh Fish Sampler for 8-10

• Fresh fish ships with ice packs.
• Fresh fish should be kept cold and handled carefully to prevent contamination. It must stay below 40°F and be refrigerated as soon as possible, stored in a sealed plastic bag to avoid leaks. In the fridge, it lasts 2–4 days if kept dry and wrapped tightly on paper towels; in the freezer, it keeps up to 4 months (longer if vacuum-sealed). Always use separate utensils and dishes for raw and cooked fish, and maintain safe serving temperatures—hot at 140°F or higher, cold at 40°F or lower.
• Keep scallops refrigerated until use, but don’t store them in water. Fresh scallops should be cooked within one day and never kept in the fridge for more than two days. If you won’t use them soon, freeze them tightly wrapped with air removed for up to 3 months. To thaw, place them in the refrigerator for a day before cooking.
• Store lobster rolls in the freezer for up to 6 months or place in the refrigerator to thaw for 24 hours. Thawed lobster meat can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.
• Store lobster in the freezer for up to 6 months.
• Thaw lobster in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Once thawed, lobster may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Soups may be stored in the freezer for up to 18 months.
• Shrimp may be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months or placed into the refrigerator to thaw for 24 hours. Thawed shrimp can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To Serve – Add Ons

Lobster Tails – To Thaw

• Always thaw lobster tails if they are frozen. The most effective way to do this is by placing them in the refrigerator for 24 hours prior to cooking. If you need them faster, you can thaw at room temperature for a few hours, and if you need them right away, thaw under running cold water.
• Frozen Lobster Tails Thawing & Refreezing Guidelines: Refreezing lobster tails is no problem as long as safe thawing practices are followed. Thawing lobster in the refrigerator allows you a few days leeway for cooking or refreezing. As long as the lobster tails thaw within refrigerator temperatures of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, refreezing them is OK within two days.
• According to the USDA’s Food Safety website: “Once frozen food is thawed in the refrigerator, it is safe to refreeze it without cooking, although there may be a loss of quality due to the moisture lost through defrosting.”

Lobster Tails – Baking Method

• Preheat oven to 375° F.
• Using a sharp, heavy chef’s knife, allow the lobster meat to sit on top of its shell by cutting all but a small amount of the meat out of the shell, lifting it up, and placing it on top. Be careful not to cut the shell the entire length. To do this, leave the tail flap and one inch above the shell intact. You and your dinner guests will appreciate this presentation!
• Separate all of the meat from the shell, except for the intact area at the tail.
• Close the shell under the meat, allowing the meat to rest on top of it.
• Season the tail any way you like it. You can use butter or olive oil, or even lemon and dill (not included).
• Cook the lobster tails 1 ½ minutes for every ounce of meat. This converts to eight ounces for 12 minutes, 10 ounces for 15 minutes, and 12 ounces for 18 minutes at 375° F.
• Serve immediately with warm olive oil or warm butter with lemon, or eat plain!

Lobster Tails – Grilling Method

• You can cut the lobster tail in half for this method or leave it whole.
• Set the grill to medium heat. If using charcoal, scatter the coals to create one area of intense heat and one cooler area
• Brush the lobster tails with olive oil or butter. You can also season with your favorite flavorings, such as lemon, minced garlic, salt, pepper, etc (not included).
• First, with the meat side down, grill for 3-5 minutes. Flip tail over for another 3-5 minutes, being sure to remove the tail from any open flames to prevent burning. The lobster tails are done when the meat becomes opaque.
• Serve with hot butter or olive oil and season with your favorite accent flavors or eat plain!

Lobster Tails – Boiling Method

• Leave the lobster meat in the shell for this method until it is finished cooking. Once it’s cooked, cut the lobster shell from tip to tip to access the meat.
• Use 6-8 cups of salted boiling water for every four lobster tails.
• Place lobster tails into boiling water and turn temperature down to a simmer.
• Cook one minute for every one ounce of lobster meat. So, if you have four 10-ounce lobster tails in the pot, cook for 10 minutes
• Remove lobster tails from water, dry with paper towel, and cut the shells in the center from end to end using a sharp, heavy chef knife.
• Serve with hot butter or olive oil and season with your favorite accent flavors or eat plain!

Lobster Tails – Broiling Method

• Preheat broiler to high.
• With sharp kitchen shears, cut the top of each tail shell down to the tip of the tail. You want to cut through the top, but not the bottom shell or the meat.
• Spread open the shell on top and pull the meat upward, separating it from the bottom shell.
• Slightly push the shell together so it looks like the meat is sitting “butterflied” on top.
• Place on a baking sheet.
• In a small bowl, whisk together (melted) butter and seasoning to taste.
• Drizzle the butter mixture over the lobster meat.
• Place on a middle-upper rack of the oven and broil until the lobster meat is opaque throughout and lightly browned, about 1 minute per ounce of individual tail.

Lobster Tails – Pan Searing Method

• Remove the meat from the shell by cutting lengthwise from end to end with a sharp, heavy chef’s knife, being careful not to cut the meat in half.
• In a pre-heated heavy skillet on medium-low heat, melt 2 Tbsp. butter (You can also use 2 Tbsp. olive oil)
• Place the meat in skillet and cook for approximately 3 minutes on one side, or until the meat on that side of the lobster tail is opaque. Flip the tail over and cook until just opaque (this may take less than 3 minutes, depending on the size of the tails, skillet and heat)
• Serve with hot butter or olive oil, lemon, and your favorite seasonings or eat plain!

Lobster Tails – Steaming Method

• You can cut the lobster tail in half for this method. Slip the tip of kitchen shears or heavy scissors into the middle of the hard rounded side of each lobster shell and cut down all the way to the tail fan, being careful not to cut meat. Place your hands on each side of shell and push down until tail pops about halfway out of shell. Rinse tails briefly under cold water to remove any grit or shell fragments.
• Pour about 1" of water in the bottom of a large pot and bring to a boil. Add salt and place a steamer insert inside the pot so that it is just above the water level.
• Put the lobster tails on the rack and cover the pot.
• Cover and steam for 6-8 minutes.

Chowder + Bisque

• Thaw under refrigeration before serving.
• Open the box and cut open the bag, place chowder/bisque in pot or saucepan, and cook on medium until the desired temperature is reached, usually about 3-5 minutes.
• Serve & enjoy!

Lobster Roll

• If your kit includes frozen lobster meat, begin by thawing your frozen lobster meat completely. Simply place your lobster meat into the refrigerator 24 hours before you want to enjoy your rolls. Alternatively (if you’d like to make your rolls the same day of receipt), you can run cold water over the lobster meat for 30 minutes. Be sure the lobster meat is thoroughly thawed. Then, place lobster meat in a colander, and let sit for 30 minutes.
• Place all of the meat you plan to use in your rolls into a strainer. Let the lobster meat strain for about 15 mins. This small step makes a huge difference in the deliciousness of your lobster rolls.
• Butter the sides using a butter knife; spread a light, even layer of softened butter on the flat, outer sides of each roll. Leave the top and split inside unbuttered. Toast the rolls on a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the rolls side-down on the hot surface.Toast each buttered side for about 1–2 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Repeat for the other side.
• In a bowl, mix your thawed lobster meat and secret spice blend that came with your lobster roll kit and set aside. No cooking required! Note: you may also mix your lobster meat with mayo (we suggest 2 tablespoons) or top with melted butter (our recommendation).
• Scoop the lobster meat, mix, and place into the browned buns, two scoops per roll, and enjoy!