Just Another Weeknight Meal

Wednesday was another cold and windy day. But, from the sound of it, Mother Nature is going to make sure winter starts here with a bang! Already several states have issued blizzard warning (and Michigan has them up on the west side) as a big storm bears down on us. It’s supposed to start raining sometime on Thursday and switch to snow overnight, with blowing snow on Friday morning. So, we may have a white Christmas this year.

At noon, I went to Kroger’s again to pick up some stuff I forgot. This time I was in and out in a flash, though. Then I stopped at Westborn for some cheese and made a complete impulse buy.

Now, all through December, they have been advertising both king crab legs and lobster tails on sale. I do love crab legs, but they are messy to eat. Out of curiosity, I checked out the lobster tails and found they were cold water lobsters (yes, it does make a difference). They were $6.99 US each and came in packs of two, four or six. So, I bought a two pack of frozen lobster tails for tonight’s dinner!

I also got a container of chicken noodle soup so I went to the house to drop off the stuff, putting the lobster tails in the fridge to thaw, and then I ate my soup for lunch.

Off and on through the afternoon, I thought about what might be a suitable accompaniment for lobster. I decided to try something I wanted to make on the grille this summer, but never got around to. I figured I could use the broiler as my grille and I had all the ingredients in the house.

When I got home after work, I treated the cats, changed clothes and then started the Wednesday night wash. I took the lobster tails out to thaw (they were still frozen). I stuck them in a bowl of cold water.

Then I made my vinaigrette for my grilled Romaine lettuce salad. You are supposed to use some of the drippings from the bacon you fry to start. But, I already had the bacon done, so I used some of the drippings I had in the fridge (I save them, of course, just like my Mother) and melted them in the microwave. Then I added one tablespoon each of Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. I whisked that together and set it aside.

I put the clothes in the dryer and started the second load (I found a cat had barfed on the bed). This was turning out to be a busy night…

Next, I put a large pot of salted water on the stove and turned the heat up. While I was waiting for that, I cut a whole head of Romaine lettuce in half, lengthwise. I put the two halves on a half sheet pan and stuck them under the broiler in the oven. I let them char a little on one side and then turned them over to get the other side. The end product was not nearly as charred as it would have been on the “barby” but it wasn’t burned.

Meanwhile I put the thawed lobster tails in the boiling water. You want to boil it about one minute per ounce.

I re-whisked and then drizzled my vinaigrette on top the lettuce and sprinkled it with crumbled bacon and blue cheese. I melted some butter in the microwave – a little too long, as it were – I heard it “pop” and found the entire inside of the microwave coated with splashed butter. But, there was still enough butter for my dinner. Then I cut quarters from half a lemon.

I pulled out the lobster tails and split them with the Wustoff. I fixed a platter (it was too big for a plate) and took a photo for you. Then I ate!

I must admit I ate both lobster tails and the two halves of the Romaine lettuce head. Both were fantastic. I would highly recommend you try the grilled salad; and lobster, well, lobster... What can you say after “lobster?”

I cleaned up the kitchen (the microwave was the worst) and went in to watch the TV until the bedding dried.

When the dryer stopped, I kicked the cats off the bed and remade it. Then I climbed into warm, sweet-smelling sheets and went to sleep.