Baked Stuffed Lobster New England Style - unsalted butter

Method

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Melt 8 tablespoons butter in a 9-inch skillet over medium heat.
• Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft but not browned.
• Stir in the tarragon and parsley.
• If using raw shrimp or scallops, add them with the herbs and cook for 1 minute.
• Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• If using cooked lobster or crabmeat, remove the pan from the heat as soon as you stir in the herbs, let cool, and then add the lobster or crabmeat.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• With a cleaver of chef's knife, split the lobsters in half lengthwise.
• Remove and discard the head sac and intestine.
• Remove the tomalley and the roe if present and place in a small bowl.
• Break into small pieces using a fork.
• With the back side of a knife, crack the center of each claw on 1 side only.
• Season the lobsters lightly with salt and pepper.
• On a large roasting pan or baking sheet, place the halves together to resemble a butterfly.
• The tomalley and roe are optional for the stuffing.
• If you want to include them, mix them into the seafood mixture.
• Gently fold the crumbled crackers into the mixture.
• Divide the mixture evenly between 2 lobsters.
• If you are serving 1 lobster per person, spread the stuffing over the center so that the lobsters look whole again.
• Do not pack the stuffing tightly, or it will affect the even baking of the lobster.
• Brush the 3 tablespoons melted butter over the exposed meat tail, stuffing and claws.
• Bake until the lobster is cooked through and the stuffing is crisp and golden.
• Bake 17 minutes for a 1 1/2 pound lobster and 24 minutes for a 2-pound lobster.