Recipe: Fried Lobster Tails

“Simple ingredients prepared in a simple way - that's the best way to take your everyday cooking to a higher level.” - Jose Andres

Lobster is something that I really enjoy, and seldom have on a regular basis. Yet, when I was able to find some wonderful lobster tails at my local grocery store it was a must that I’d make Fried Lobster Tails. This dish was a treat, and when paired with sautéed greens it’s absolutely delicious.

Below is a super simple recipe to take your lobster tails to a whole new level.


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What You’ll Need:

(serves two)

  • 4 lobster tails

  • 1 egg

  • 4 tablespoons of water

  • 4 teaspoons black pepper (divided)

  • 2 teaspoon of red pepper (divided)

  • 4 teaspoons of lemon pepper seasoning (divided)

  • 2 teaspoons of salt (divided)

  • 1/2 cup of flour

  • 2 cups of seasoned bread crumbs

  • Canola oil

Instructions:

STEP 1: Ensure each lobster tails is thawed out completely. Then, butterfly the lobster tails so that the meat sits gently on top of the shell.

Pro Tip: Hold a lobster tail in one hand with the top of the hard shell facing up. Using sturdy kitchen shears, cut through the top of the shell and through the meat. Stopping just before the bottom shell. Do not cut through wide end of the tail.

STEP 2: Then take half of the seasonings of salt, black pepper, red pepper, and lemon pepper - generously seasoning your lobster meat.

STEP 3: Next, combine the flour, and the rest of your seasonings together, dredge each lobster tail into the flour mixture.

STEP 4: Whisk your egg and water mixture until frothy. Dip each lobster tail (meat only) into the egg wash, then immediately coat in seasoned bread crumbs.

STEP 5: Pour canola oil into the cooking vessel, and make sure that there is enough oil in the container to fully submerge each tail. Ensure your canola oil temperature is at 350 degrees fahrenheit. Then, slowly add your lobster tail into the cooking vessel (meat side down). Cook for about 5-8 minutes, and you’ll notice the golden texture on the seasoned bread crumb mixture.

Pro Tip: Pay close attention to the tails, they’ll begin to turn bright red as they are being cooked.

STEP 6: Remove lobster tails from the cooking vessel and let any excess oil drain on a wire rack. Wait for about 3 minutes for the tails to cool before indulging.

STEP 7: Enjoy!

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XO, Analise

Cork & Fork: Smoked Meats + Fried Oysters Wine Pairings

“Drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life's most civilized pleasures.” - Michael Broadbent

One of my favorite things to do is pairing a delicious dish with an amazing bottle of wine.

This past Christmas I gifted my husband a smoker, and he has literally perfected the art of smoking amazing proteins. Also, one of my preferred seafoods to enjoy are oysters, especially when they are flash fried.

Today, I’m sharing some of my ideal food and wine pairings with meals that we have curated at home.


Smoked Chicken

Chicken is a protein we smoke and/or grill almost weekly. It is such a versatile protein, and you can add it to salads, sandwiches, nachos, tacos, or enjoy it by itself with a wide variety of sides.

This spicy smoked chicken is so delicious, and is layered with a variety of seasonings that pair perfectly with a velvet bordeaux style wine. The Octagon produced by Barboursville Vineyards is a winner for this dish. It is so smooth, and is such a unique blend of varietals Merlot 50%, Cabernet Franc 20%, Petit Verdot 30%. It is so well balanced, with notes of dark chocolate, coffee, baked berries, and a bit of oak. This wine is dry, but the finish has a nice smooth velvet texture.

Smoked thinly sliced chicken breast paired with broccolini and herbed potatoes with rosemary, sea salt, black pepper, and thyme with a spicy old bay mayo.

Smoked thinly sliced chicken breast paired with broccolini and herbed potatoes with rosemary, sea salt, black pepper, and thyme with a spicy old bay mayo.

Barboursville Octagon 2016

Barboursville Octagon 2016

Smoked chicken leg paired with broccolini and thinly sliced herbed potatoes with rosemary, sea salt, black pepper, and thyme.

Smoked chicken leg paired with broccolini and thinly sliced herbed potatoes with rosemary, sea salt, black pepper, and thyme.


Smoked Duck

When duck is smoked, it brings out some amazing flavors of the protein, and is tender and juicy. Also, the port cherry reduction is a great addition, the perfect compliment to the meat.

The wine I paired with this dish is a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. It is soft, has an amazing body to it, and is fruit forward, while having a great texture and balance. This wine has notes of black fruit immediately on the nose, and cherry on mid-palate. The tannins on this wine are present, but not overwhelming, which is ideal with smoked duck.

Medium rare sliced duck breast with a port cherry sauce, accompanied with herbed seasoned red potato crisps.

Medium rare sliced duck breast with a port cherry sauce, accompanied with herbed seasoned red potato crisps.

Stretch Drive Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Stretch Drive Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

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Fried Oysters

Oysters are something that I enjoy so much! Whenever I’m able to indulge in them, champagne is the obvious choice to pair with this dish.

The fried oysters are seasoned with lemon, pepper, sea salt, black pepper, a dash of cayenne, and a dusting of grated parmesan - which gives the protein a great balance of spice and citrus.

A champagne that is 100% Meunier is a lovely pair with oysters. Champagne Salmon was a great choice for me to accompany this dish, as it provides the right balance of acidity to the oysters.

Fried oysters paired with a pair of grilled rosemary crostini, and garlic herb aioli.

Fried oysters paired with a pair of grilled rosemary crostini, and garlic herb aioli.

Champagne Salmon - 100% Meunier

Champagne Salmon - 100% Meunier

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What are your favorite wine and food combinations? Feel free to share your favorite wine and food pairings below!

XO, Analise

Uncorked: Champagne, France

"Champagne is the only wine that leaves a woman beautiful after drinking it." - Madame de Pompadour

During the holiday season, G and I decided to go to Paris with my best friend Alisha, and her husband James. While planning our vacation, we all decided that visiting Champagne for a day would be an amazing opportunity! Who would’ve thought that during our week long stay in France, that going to Champagne would end up being our favorite activity, and highlight of the entire trip?!

We had the best 12 hours in Champagne - the countryside was absolutely stunning, and so relaxing. Also, the drive out to Champagne was not far at all from Paris, it was about 1 hour and 30 minutes via car. Alisha and I booked our tour through O’Chateau - the service, and our tour guide, Charlotte were nothing short of fabulous. To start our day, we met at the wine bar where we were served coffee and fresh croissants. Then our tour guide shuttled our small intimate group of 8, and drove us to Champagne for the day.

From there, we were on our way to spend the day in the city, visiting a total of three Champagne houses. Each Champagne house was unique, and had its own special quality. I cannot wait to share our day in the city with you all.


Taittinger

Outside the gates of Taittinger

Outside the gates of Taittinger

Taittanger is a legendary Champagne house, and is widely popular. The estate is stunning, and has so much history. At the beginning of the tour, the staff plays a short video explaining the history and brand of Taittanger which was really nice to review. Afterwards, the guide gives a tour of the Champagne cellar and cave which is absolutely breathtaking. The decorative doors, immense bottles of champagne, and the endless amounts of riddling racks make this cave so neat.

Our guide at Taittanger ushered a group of about 30+ individuals. The group in the cellar was very large, which really took away from the intimacy of the tour. It would have been nice to have a smaller group to really take our time in the cellar.

Once the tour was completed, we were taken to the tasting room on the main level. A standard ticket only includes one glass of their iconic Brut Reserve Champagne. If you would like to try additional champagnes, guests are required to purchase each sampling ticket separately. This was a huge bummer as other Champagne houses offer more than just one sample in their tastings.

In all, our visit to Taittanger was unique mainly in the lavish estate, fantastic cellar, and beautifully decorated tasting room.

The entrance into Taittinger

The entrance into Taittinger

Entering through the gates of Taittinger

Entering through the gates of Taittinger

The gorgeous line up of champagne in the wine tasting room.

The gorgeous line up of champagne in the wine tasting room.

Riddling racks for the champagne bottles

Riddling racks for the champagne bottles

Our tour guide giving an amazing review of the champagne’s history at Taittinger

Our tour guide giving an amazing review of the champagne’s history at Taittinger


Champagne Vincent Brochet

The entrance to Champagne Vincent Brochet

The entrance to Champagne Vincent Brochet

The gorgeous vines outside of Champagne Vincent Brochet

The gorgeous vines outside of Champagne Vincent Brochet

Dare I say that Vincent Brochet was my absolute favorite house? This visit made my day! Our 8 person group were the only visitors during our stop, which really made the tour special and private. The current winemaker, Gaspard, Vincent’s son, gave us a personal tour in the cellar. We were able to get a sneak peek in his labelling process for his brand new champagne. Also, we were able to hear his family’s story on how they started their house. It was such a cool experience getting to see the authenticity and inside peek on how they produce and create their delicious champagnes.

Having this private experience, and being able to relax on the property was such a nice opportunity. Also, our tour guide, Charlotte, from O’Chateau has a wonderful relationship with the smaller champagne houses, specifically the Brochet family. She was able to give us a lot of historical knowledge and provide us some amazing information on the estate and champagnes.

Gaspard Brochet holding his new champagne, which we were able to try!

Gaspard Brochet holding his new champagne, which we were able to try!

The sabre for our champagne

The sabre for our champagne

Perfectly sabred champagne bottle by our tour guide Charlotte

Perfectly sabred champagne bottle by our tour guide Charlotte

Our lunch setup for the day at Champagne Vincent Brochet

Our lunch setup for the day at Champagne Vincent Brochet

G and I enjoying the views and lunch at Champagne Vincent Brochet

G and I enjoying the views and lunch at Champagne Vincent Brochet

During our stay on the estate, we were served a three course meal curated and prepared by Brochet’s private chef. The meal was absolutely delicious, and each dish was paired with a different glass of champagne. I was blown away with the food and champagne pairing for out meal - everything was perfect. Our food was spectacular, and easily one of the best meals I had during our stay in France - in short, our chef was amazing, and he perfectly capped off our stay at the estate.

Mushroom, ham, and sun-dried tomato quiche

Mushroom, ham, and sun-dried tomato quiche

Cast iron potatoes, wild mushrooms, and duck

Cast iron potatoes, wild mushrooms, and duck

Champagne style tiramisu with infused Ratafia

Champagne style tiramisu with infused Ratafia

G and I with the winemaker Gaspard Brochet

G and I with the winemaker Gaspard Brochet

G and I with the private chef at Champagne Vincent Brochet

G and I with the private chef at Champagne Vincent Brochet


Champagne Salmon

Champagne Salmon

Champagne Salmon

Like the Brochet house, Salmon is a small estate as well, and again our group was given a private tour. The original winemaker Michel greeted us, and gave us access to his cellar. We were able to tour at our leisure with our O’Chateau guide, Charlotte. Once we finished our tour, Michel and his grandson, Alexandre, the current winemaker greeted us in their tasting room.

We were given an overview of their history, legacy, and their beautify champagnes. They provided three champagnes for tasting, and all were absolutely delicious - the 100% Meunier Brut Reserve was a personal favorite of mine.

Salmon was our last stop, but it ended our day in Champagne beautifully. It was so nice to start out with a larger Champagne house, and to wrap it up with two smaller houses to cap off the tour.

The wine tasting room

The wine tasting room

Cellar tour at Champagne Salmon

Cellar tour at Champagne Salmon

Stainless steel barrels in the cellar

Stainless steel barrels in the cellar

Vintage grape press

Vintage grape press

The original wine marker Michel, his grandson Alexandre - the current wine maker, and our tour guide from O’Chateau Charlotte

The original wine marker Michel, his grandson Alexandre - the current wine maker, and our tour guide from O’Chateau Charlotte

The lineup of champagnes tasted during our stay at Salmon

The lineup of champagnes tasted during our stay at Salmon

Visiting Champagne was such a cool experience, and I would definitely go back in a heartbeat. I’m truly looking forward to visiting more wine countries in France in the future!

XO, Analise