Introduction

This is Mama Miche, and today in My Magic Kitchen: Grilled Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter for Momster on her birthday, 9/1/23. This year, she would've turned 84.

My Momster. You hear a lot about this woman not just because she was my mother, from whence I came, but also because she was my very best friend. I can't celebrate her birthday with her anymore. It will be 10 years since she left for the great beyond this coming October, making Fall difficult for me to get through. It remains my second favorite season, but it's also my least favorite since she died. 

She wouldn't want me harping on the negative, so I always find myself looking for ways to celebrate her in her absence. It's usually through food. Maybe it's a Jewish thing or just an “us” thing. 

On the anniversary of her birthday this year, my daughter asked me what her favorite food was, and without hesitation, I said, "Lobster." The funny thing about my Momster and lobster is that she was very allergic to shellfish, and lobster caused the most severe reaction: her eyes and lips swelling and her lips tingling or numb. It was always worth it to her. She would deal with the allergy whenever she treated herself to Lobster. 

For many birthdays, when she was still living in NY, she would go to El Quiote in Chelsea for a 2 or 3-pounder. After she moved to Memphis, we went to Folks Folly for her 73rd birthday. I have pictures that prove how much she still loved lobster. It brought out both the little girl and the rebel in her.  And our last Labor Day weekend we spent together, we made grilled lobster tails with garlic butter. 

So, since we happened to be at Costco on what would have been her birthday, and they happened to have lobster tails…

Happy birthday, Momster! I love you. Wish you were here. 

831 forever, and thanks for teaching me, loving me, and making our kitchen magic.

Tools

• Poultry shears or heavy knife

• Knife

• Cutting board or mat

• Measuring spoons

• Small mixing bowl

• Basting brush

Ingredients

Makes 4 Servings

• 4 lobster tails

• 1 tbsp Twice Stolen Spice™

• 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter

• 2-4 garlic cloves pressed

• 2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed is better) 

• 2 tbsp  avocado or olive oil

• 1 lemon quartered for plating

Directions

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 8 minutes

• Butterfly the lobster tails by slicing the top of the shell with kitchen shears all the way to the base. 

• Pull the meat out and place it gently atop the shell. 

• Score the top of the flesh down the middle if it's a bigger tail (Note 1) 

• In a small bowl, whisk the melted butter with pressed garlic, lemon juice & Twice Stolen Spice™. Set aside.

• Brush lobster tail with avocado or olive oil and season with Twice Stolen Spice™. 

• Place the tails on a grill preheated to 400°F meat side down. 

• Grill lobster for about 5 minutes or until it gets nice, golden grill marks. 

• Flip it over and grill it for 2-3 more minutes or until the flesh turns opaque.

• Brush the lobster with the butter mixture and serve immediately!

Notes:

1. Sometimes, it separates easily on its own. Sometimes, you have to declare war and win the battle. These tails were especially ornery. Someday, I may feature them in my outtake video.