How does one bake lobster tails?

Baking lobster tails is a delicious and easy way to enjoy this luxurious seafood. Here's a simple guide:

Ingredients:

* 1-2 lobster tails per person, thawed if frozen

* 1-2 tablespoons melted butter

* 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice

* Salt and pepper to taste

* Fresh herbs (parsley, chives, dill) optional

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Prepare Lobster Tails:

* If you're using frozen tails, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.

* Gently rinse the tails under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.

* If you want to remove the meat from the shell, use a sharp knife to cut along the underside of the tail and gently peel the shell back.

* Alternatively, you can leave the tails intact, which is great for presentation.

3. Seasoning:

* Brush the lobster tails with melted butter.

* Drizzle with lemon juice.

* Season with salt and pepper to taste.

* If using, sprinkle with fresh herbs.

4. Baking:

* Place the lobster tails on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.

* Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and cooked through.

* The lobster meat should be firm to the touch, and the internal temperature should reach 140°F (60°C).

5. Serving:

* Remove the lobster tails from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

* If you removed the meat from the shell, you can serve it over rice, pasta, or salad.

* If you left the tails intact, you can crack them open with a lobster cracker and enjoy the meat directly from the shell.

Tips:

* Size Matters: Smaller lobster tails will cook faster than larger ones. Adjust baking time accordingly.

* Flavor Boost: For extra flavor, add garlic, chili flakes, or other spices to the butter mixture.

* Sides: Serve baked lobster tails with classic accompaniments like melted butter, drawn butter, lemon wedges, and crusty bread.

Enjoy your delicious baked lobster tails!