Going out to eat can be a wonderful experience — the ambiance, the ease, and the excitement of trying something new are often worth the price. However, many restaurants, even high-end ones, rely on commercially made ingredients that may not give you the value you're paying for.
Most of these pre-made ingredients contain mediocre food products, preservatives, and chemical additives — with citric acid being one of the most common. Sauces are especially worth thinking about, as many restaurants buy them in bulk rather than making them fresh. Because sauces can be time-consuming to prepare on demand, they’re purchased in large commercial tubs, warmed, and served.
That's one reason I'm sharing this idea — you can make restaurant-worthy meals at home with little effort and a simple homemade sauce!
You'll save money, skip the preservatives and unnecessary calories, and enjoy a fresher, better-tasting meal.
Lobster tails
Optional: aioli sauce for the side (olive oil, egg yolk, garlic and Dijon mustard)
Preheat the oven to 350° F.
Place the lobster tails on a baking sheet, shell side up. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the shells turn bright orange-pink.
Let the lobster cool slightly and then, using a kitchen towel or paper towel to protect your hand, hold a lobster tail and carefully cut down the underside of the shell with kitchen scissors.
Gently wedge your fingers into the cut and peel back the shell to release the lobster meat.
Fill a pot with enough water to cover the lobster tails.
Bring the water to a boil.
Add the lobster tails and boil for about 5 minutes (for 4-ounce tails) or up to 10 minutes for larger ones until the shells turn bright orange-pink.
Remove the tails from the pot and let them cool slightly.
Follow the same method as above to remove the lobster from the shell.
Boiling is a bit quicker, but to me, baking is more convenient. Both yield an excellent result.
I often find 4-ounce lobster tails for $9-$10 each, making this a special yet economical alternative to dining out. It’s a satisfying portion when paired with homemade fries, aioli, and a Caesar salad or a luscious dessert like fruit clafoutis or something chocolate!
