New England Lobster Rolls

Buttered Lobster Roll or Lobster Salad Roll?

Buttered Lobster Roll or Lobster Salad Roll?  This is how I describe these two 

delicious, but very different New England Lobster Rolls.    

The traditional Lobster Roll is warm lobster meat soaked in butter and served on a 

buttered, grilled hot dog bun.  This style lobster roll was said to have been

originated in a restaurant, in Milford, CT., as early as 1929.  Once this sandwich was 

introduced, it's popularity spread up and down the Connecticut Coast, but not far

beyond.  Later, this roll was popular in Maine, as well as other States, where lobster

fishing was common.  

It wasn't until the 1960's when the cold Lobster Salad Roll took off into parts of

Long Island, Massachusetts and into other New England States.  

The Lobster Salad Roll is served cold, with mayonnaise.  

Variations of this salad have also been made with other ingredients, 

such as celery, onion and lettuce.  

While on a recent trip to New England, I had the opportunity to sample 

many different varieties of the "Lobster Roll".  One intriguing way was 

cold and tossed with fresh dill and slices of cucumber.  Ahh, it was so refreshing.  

I was so eager to get home and start creating, I couldn't wait.  

I decided to make two rolls.  One with just butter and the

other tossed with mayonnaise, celery and red onion.  As much as I enjoyed 

the dill and cucumber, I decided to incorporate those ingredients into

a separate dish, a warm Cucumber Salad.  It was the perfect compliment to serve

with lobster rolls, at my outdoor picnic.  

Some will argue which is the best way to eat a Lobster Roll but HEY, it's lobster.  

Either way is ok with me, especially on Three Baker's Hot Dog Rolls.  Go ahead, 

switch them up a bit and ENJOY!  

Lobster Roll (with Butter)

Ingredients:

4 Three Bakers Hot Dog Rolls

1 lb lobster meat, cooked and picked

2 sticks butter, softened

salt, to taste

Directions:

1.  Spread butter on all sides of each hot dog bun.  In a skillet, heat on med/high heat.  Grill and brown rolls on all sides, until all toasted.

2.  Heat and toss 1 stick of butter with chunks of lobster meat.  Season with salt, to taste.

3.  Stuff each roll with warm meat (don't forget the butter).  Serve.

Lobster Salad Roll (Cold)

4 Three Bakers Hot Dog Rolls

3/4 lbs lobster meat, cooked and picked

1/2 cup mayo

1/2 cup celery, chopped

1/4 cup red onion, 

salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1.  Spread butter on all sides of each hot dog bun.  In a skillet, heat on med/high heat.  Grill and brown rolls on all sides, until all toasted.

2.  In medium size bowl add lobster meat, mayo, celery and onion.  Season with salt and pepper.  Mix well.  Fill each toasted roll with lobster salad.

Warm Cucumber Salad:

1/4 lb bacon, fried (reserve 2 TBS fat)

1 TBS sugar

1 small garlic clove, minced

2 TBS cider vinegar

salt and pepper, to taste

3 TBS dill, fresh

1 English Cucumber

1 cup red onion, sliced thin

2 TBS lime juice, fresh

Directions:

1.  In small saucepan heat on med/high heat bacon fat, sugar, garlic, vinegar, salt and pepper, until sugar dissolves.  Remove from heat.  Add in dill, cucumbers, onion and lime juice.  Toss until well coated.  Top with bacon crumbles.