Lobster Alternatives

[Michael in FtW]

Not knowing the recipe, or how the lobster is used in it, leaves us guessing at how appropriate any substitution would be. However, if the recipe calls for a couple of chopped/diced 1-lb boiled lobster tails, and you want something with some of the sweetness and a silimar texture of lobster at an economy price - look for a bag of frozen crawfish/crayfish tails.

Monk fish, pollock, shrimp, lump and or picked crab (or a a combination) would be good - just not as close as the mudbugs IMHO. Frozen would work just fine - but I tend to shy away from canned crab and shrimp because they have little flavor and are too mushy for most applications IMHO.

[archiduc]

Originally Posted by Chez Nick

I'm making a recipe with lobster wontons. Lobster is too expensive, do you have any ideas for subsitutions.



P.S. The recipe calls for 2 lobster tails.

Hi Chez Nick,

IMHO there are no substitutions for lobster! However, there are alternatives and I would suggest prawns or crawfish/crayfish.

Archiduc

[VeraBlue]

Monkfish is often referred to as the poor man's lobster. It has similiar texture and flavour at about 1/3 the price. Plus you don't have to deal with the nasty shell.

Not that there's anything wrong with lobster...I'd never turn one down, if you know what I mean. But for your needs, monkfish is the way to go.

[VeraBlue]

Originally Posted by TATTRAT

But, the chili sauce and ingredients don't taste anything like lobster. We don't know what type of wonton Nick is shooting for.

I have to disagree about monk only having the texture. Good, in season monk fish, I personally prefer over lobster because the flavor is better. But, just my opinion.

Fresh and in season, monkfish has a magnificent flavour with only slightly less sweetness of lobster. Lots of that sweet flavour of lobster comes from the butter it's so often drenched in...