11 Sep West Coast Lobster Tail Recipes You Must Try

Do you live on the West Coast? If you do, you are probably familiar with the delicacy that is lobster. It is also known as the West Coast Lobster, spiny lobster, or crayfish, which is the more common name.

Crayfish found on the West Coast are known for being one of the sweetest species of lobster. If you don’t live on the West Coast, where you can (legally) catch your own fresh lobster, we have news for you. Blake’s Fine Foods is offering West Coast Lobster tails for sale with 10 lobster tails in a pack, and each tail weighing between 55g and 80g.

When preparing these frozen lobster tails, keeping the temperature nice and cold before cooking is very important, and therefore it is recommended to thaw out in the fridge for at least 6 hours. West Coast Lobster tails can be served using various cooking methods. Lobster tails can be boiled, steamed, grilled on the braai, parboiled, and poached. Here are some delicious must-try seafood recipes and ideas for your next dinner party:

Braaied Crayfish Tails

Get that fire started, it’s time to have a luxurious braai experience! Once you’ve lit the fire, you can start by preparing the ingredients.

You will need:

• Four West Coast Lobster tails (defrosted)
• 125g butter (softened)
• 1 garlic clove (crushed)
• A handful of parsley leaves (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (to serve)
• 1 lemon (juiced)
• A small pinch of chilli powder (optional)

Once the fire is burning, you can start making the butter by mixing all the ingredients and seasonings, and set the butter aside.

Start by cutting along the tops of the crayfish shells with kitchen scissors, then flipping the tails over and cracking the ribs of the shell. With your fingers open the shell and loosen the meat, keeping it attached at the base, and pull it halfway out.  Use a knife to cut along the top of the tail without cutting all the way through, and remove the vein if you see one. Add a generous amount of the butter mix to each tail.

When the fire is ready, braai the lobster tails over hot coals with the meat side down for about 10 minutes, turning over, until cooked through. For serving and garnish, add some lemon wedges, chopped parsley, and a small bowl of the butter mixture for guests to dip their crayfish meat, enough for four people.

Lobster tails in pancetta cream sauce

Here is another delicious crayfish recipe to make your mouth water. Once more, if you purchase our West Coast Lobster tails, make sure you thaw them overnight in a colander in your refrigerator to ensure the water drains away from the lobster.

You will need:

• 40g butter
• 45ml olive oil
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 3 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
• 100g pancetta or bacon bits
• 250ml cream
• 125ml white wine
• A handful of freshly chopped parsley
• Juice and peel of a lemon
• 12 West Coast Lobster tails
• Salt and black pepper

Heat the butter and the olive oil on high in a medium-sized pot and add the chopped onion, garlic, and pancetta or bacon. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes or until nicely golden brown, as this will give the sauce its flavour. Add the cream and white wine and allow to simmer for 5 minutes until reduced by a third, then throw in the parsley, lemon juice, and peel. Now you can add your lobster tails and stir with a wooden spoon. Cover the pot with a lid and allow the dish to simmer for 5-8 minutes until cooked or until the crayfish shell turns bright red. Remove the pot from the heat, season well with salt and black pepper, and serve immediately. If you want to try something different, you can always replace the lobster with our West Coast Frozen Blanched Half Shell or Whole Shell Mussels.

Lobster Bredie

Bredie is the Afrikaans word for stew, and it’s a beloved South African comfort dish. Almost anything can be turned into a lovely bredie, even lobster tails.

You will need:

• Lobster tails
• Olive oil
• Butter
• Medium-sized onions, diced
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Medium-sized tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and roughly chopped
• Bay leaf
• A splash of seafood stock
• Dry white wine and port
• Parsley sprigs, roughly chopped
• Paprika
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Start by cutting the lobster tails lengthwise, then place the olive oil and butter in a large saucepan, followed by the onions. Let the onions sweat slightly before adding the garlic, tomatoes, bay leaf, and a splash of seafood stock. Let it simmer gently for about 7-8 minutes before adding the lobster. Put the lobster tails in, place a lid on, and leave for about 10 minutes until the lobster is tender. Add the white wine and port and bring to a boil. Cook for about 2-3 minutes and finish with the parsley and paprika. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

Whether you are hosting a dinner party, a night with friends, or treating your family, these recipes show just how easy it is to prepare and enjoy this West Coast treasure in your very home. From a smoky braai to a rich, creamy pancetta sauce or a hearty bredie, our West Coast Lobster tails are a versatile delicacy and transform every meal into a feast. CONTACT US to place your order, or visit our online shop.