Lobster with Thermidor butter

Lobster with Thermidor butter

A luxury that has been prized by chefs for years, so make the most of it with this cheat's classic

Difficulty and servings

Moderately easy

Serves 2 as a main or 4 as a starter

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 15 mins

Cook time

Cook 15 mins

Freezable

Butter only

Method

  1. First make the butter. Put the wine and shallot into a pan, then bring to the boil and simmer until nearly dry. Tip into a bowl to cool, mix all the ingredients together, roll into a log, using cling film or foil, then chill to harden. Can be frozen for up to 1 month.
  2. Snap away the claws from the lobster. Using a large chef's knife, cut the lobster in half and wash the head cavity under cold water, then dry with kitchen paper. Lay the lobsters, cut side up, on a baking tray. Crack the claws and remove the claw meat. Divide claw meat between the head cavities. This can be done the day before and the lobster kept in the fridge ready for grilling.
  3. Heat grill to high. Slice the butter into thin rounds and lay it along the lobsters so all the meat is covered. Grill for 5-8 mins until the butter is bubbling and starting to brown. Put the lobsters on plates, pouring any butter from the tray over them. Serve with new potatoes and some dressed salad leaves.

Per serving

419 kcalories, protein 24g, carbohydrate 3g, fat 34 g, saturated fat 20g, fibre 0g, sugar 2g, salt 1.62 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, January 2008.

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Latest comments and suggestions

  • 2008-01-03 02:43:06.071359

    daichip commented on this recipe

    I made it into a Thermidor sauce. When cooking the shallots and wine I added some fish stock and reduced it by 2/3. I then added double cream, english powder mustard and djon mustard and cooked for 2 mins. I then added tarragon leaves. I found that by adding the mustards almost last thing, you have an after taste which is warming yet pleasant. You could also add fresh breadcrumbs mixed with Parmasan, put on the sauce and flash under a grill for a different texture.

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  • 2008-02-15 10:57:22.683995

    karensmesses rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Made this for an early Valantine starter. Used frozen lobster from Aldi £4.99, quick and easy to make, enjoyed it alot, would make again for friends with same lobster.

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  • 2008-02-22 10:07:43.994454

    Caraline rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Excellent - very easy to prep ahead and tasted delicious

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  • 2008-04-08 18:24:17.943421

    Abbey rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    all i can say is...delicious!

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  • 2008-10-26 13:49:10.721237

    mother*ship rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Simple and very delicious!

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  • 2008-10-30 08:57:20.448725

    Barney commented on this recipe

    I want to try those £4.99 lobsters, I've heard good things about them. Bx

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  • 2008-11-04 14:53:06.09291

    Dennypoos commented on this recipe

    I've bought four of the Lidl Lobsters but missed out on the Crab. This will be my first attempt at Lobster at home but as the lobster is already cooked how can I fail? I'll let you guys know how it turns out sometime pre Christmas.

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  • 2008-12-06 11:12:45.666197

    Dennypoos rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I finally got round to doing this and I have to say, Lobster I can take or leave but the Thermidor Butter was mega and I'll use that in other ways. The small lobsters give too little a meat to shell ratio for my thinking.

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  • 2009-08-09 11:04:45.810065

    Pip-a-doodle commented on this recipe

    If anyone is a member of costco, they are now doing two lobsters, cooked and frozen for £8. Have tried this recipe with them and it will be going on to the dinner party plan!

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  • 2009-10-22 20:15:58.301909

    *Yummy Alice* rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Lidl have got their cheap Lobster's in again, whilst on the small side this excellent rich butter makes them go further. My dad hates seafood but even he enjoyed this recipe. First time we had used lobsters at home, so it took us a little more than the 15mins to smash claws ect. Also I have a lot of butter left so with small lobsters perhaps make less of the thermidor butter.

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  • 2010-01-03 19:30:07.746645

    dan scott rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • 2010-06-10 17:36:03.952855

    JustineBateson commented on this recipe

    one word - incredible

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  • 2010-12-15 23:06:34.053266

    Pippa commented on this recipe

    Can't wait to try this next week for pre Christmas meal! I had to plunge these poor beasties into hot water myself, (after a snooze in the deep freeze), so I hope this recipe will do them justice! Above comments bode well, and will report when consumed!

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  • 2010-12-17 11:27:27.899423

    kimberley commented on this recipe

    im going to try this for a pre-xmas starter, i hope it goes down well as ive never tried to do lobster myself so fingers crossed

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  • 2011-02-04 17:06:21.307436

    Katy s rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Was stunning. Thanks Barney, another hit.

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  • 2011-03-04 19:23:41.011892

    Reeny rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Divine - have made it twice and are about to make it for friends this Saturday. A simple dish that cannot fail to impress

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  • Binder photo jax

    2011-11-26 13:25:27.11197

    jax commented on this recipe

    Lidl are doing whole cooked frozen lobsters for 6 quid at the moment x jax

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  • Binder photo AMD

    2011-12-19 11:40:38.741112

    AMD rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Absolutely amazing. Made it last night as my partner and I wanted something fancy but not meat and it couldn't have been better. The thermidor butter makes it so tasty and the whole thing took about a half an hour to prepare and cook. Will definitely be trying this again.

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  • 2013-02-05 20:29:29.449905

    KyleHarbinson rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Easy to do and incredibly tasty. Don't be shy with the Thermidor butter.

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Difficulty and servings

Moderately easy

Serves 2 as a main or 4 as a starter

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 15 mins

Cook time

Cook 15 mins

Freezable

Butter only

Updated classic

Ingredients

FOR THE BUTTER

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Per serving

419 kcalories, protein 24g, carbohydrate 3g, fat 34 g, saturated fat 20g, fibre 0g, sugar 2g, salt 1.62 g

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