Maine Lobster Casserole

In the late 1800's when the lobster canning industry was in full swing, every frugal Maine housewife had a recipe for lobster casserole. Today, chunks of lobster baked in a savory casserole are an easy way to delight your family and guests with the ultimate white meat.

Recipe Ingredients:

6 tablespoons butter - divided use
1 pound cooked Maine lobster meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon dried mustard
1 cup milk
1 cup lobster stock
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
8-ounces sliced mushrooms
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 cup crumbled Pilot crackers or oyster crackers

Cooking Directions:

1. In a saucepan on top of the stove, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Briefly sauté the lobster meat in the butter until it starts to turn pink. With a slotted spoon, remove the lobster meat from the butter.
2. Whisk the flour and dried mustard into the butter. Stir in the milk and lobster stock, bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, whisking constantly. Season to taste with sea salt and fresh pepper.
3. In a sauté pan, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Sauté the sliced mushrooms until they just start to give up their water.
4. Remove the mushrooms from the pan.
5. Stir the cooked lobster meat and sautéed mushrooms into the lobster sauce.
6. Add the minced garlic, chopped parsley and cracker crumbs to the mushroom butter. Stir well to combine.
7. Grease a large casserole dish. Spoon the lobster and mushroom mixture into the bottom of the casserole.
8. Cover with the buttered crumbs.
9. Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven until bubbly and the top is golden brown, about 20 to 30 minutes.
10. Serve with tomato and cucumber slices.

Makes 4 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/4 of recipe): 399 calories, 30 grams protein, 17 grams carbohydrates, 24 grams fat, 833 mg. sodium, 1 gram fiber.

Recipe provided courtesy of Maine Lobster Promotion Council.