Crab Stuffed Lobster Tail

The Crab Stuffed Lobster Tail is a twist from the Stuffed Shrimp with Garlic Butter of Chef Matt's menu. I wasn't able to find good shrimp, much less the proper large shrimp called for the recipe. So instead, I used lobster tails. Doing so was much easier because the tail shell held the lump crab stuffing perfectly. I was also able to present the lobster tail beautiful over the top. The stuffing was a delicate mixture of lump crab meat, mayonnaise, egg, Old Bay seasoning, Dijon mustard, chives, some salt & pepper, and GF breadcrumbs. As a final touch for this dish, roasted garlic butter was brushed over the tops just before serving and garnished with a fresh lemon slice.

Crab Stuffed Lobster Tail 
recipe adapted from Plugra

Garlic Butter

1 each lemon, fresh

1 lb. Plugrá® European-Style Butter, unsalted, softened

2 tbsp. roasted garlic cloves, mashed into a paste

2 tbsp. parsley, fresh, chopped

kosher salt and coarse ground pepper, to taste

Crab Stuffing

1 cup mayonnaise

1 egg, beaten

1 egg yolk

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

½ tsp. OLD BAY® Seasoning

1 pinch ground cayenne pepper

1 tbsp. chives, fresh, minced

kosher salt and coarse ground pepper, as needed

1 lb. jumbo lump crabmeat, drained, picked over for shells and cartilage

4 (4oz) lobster tails

4 lemon slices

Garlic Butter

Zest and juice one lemon.

In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine softened Plugrá Butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, roasted garlic paste, parsley, salt and black pepper in bowl; mix until fully blended.

Transfer garlic butter to plastic wrap; form into a log shape and chill.

Crab Stuffing

Combine mayonnaise, egg, egg yolk, Dijon mustard, Old Bay Seasoning, cayenne pepper and chives in bowl; mix until fully blended. Season with salt and black pepper.

Gently fold in the crab and mix until lightly blended, taking care not to break up lumps of crabmeat. Cover and chill until mixture is firm.

Stuffed Lobster Tail

In a large stock pot set over high heat, fill with water and let come to a boil. Once boiling, add the lobster tails and cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from pot and place in a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Remove from ice water and dry off with paper towels. Set lobster onto a cutting board and cut down the middle lengthwise. Carefully pull back the shell and remove tail meat as one piece.

Fill the now empty tail shell with crab stuffing. Top the stuffed lobster tail with the tail meat, laid on top. 

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Place stuffed lobster tails onto a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with garlic butter sauce. Garnish with lemon slices and chopped parsley before serving.