When All Live Lobsters have Fled

I have been craving lobster... I mean, REALLY craving lobster. Restaurants searched. Menus checked. Online recipes searched. Found! Lobster risotto with lemon. And just to ensure it was not too frufru, throw in some tri-tip steak and a side of grilled peppers. Yummy!

Now I just can't hop in the car and go get my lobster so I've been (im)patiently waiting for too long to get my lobster. But yesterday was the day! I'd invited a friend over for dinner and told her what we were having.

My parents and I were to go shopping in the afternoon but just as we were about to leave one of my pounding headache episodes came on. Disappointed at the inability to escape my house, I admitted defeat and stayed home. This would end up being a good thing (but we can talk about that later).

My list wasn't long but included a live lobster. "Have you ever cooked a live lobster?" asked my dad. Nope, but I was willing to try. For literally hours my mouth was salivating at the thought of dinner and when they finally arrived home from three large chain stores I was informed that all live lobsters had fled Langley and Cloverdale and all that remained was three packages of thawed, previously cooked, previously frozen pieces of lobster.

My disappointment was immense. My mom was in a flabbergasted state explaining her attempts. How was I to create a stock out of cooked lobster and not waste the expensive already cooked meat? (And truthfully inside I was more than a little deflated at not being able to cook the live lobster). Something had to be done.

"Let's go Xhevat." And off we went.

I got to try out my new walker at the market (I prefer my old one with four wheels and a seat but this one will do until I get my strength back). The market had no crustacean products. Ok Krista... you have to think differently. Fish sauce. Fish stock. Fish heads. Shrimp. Shrimp it is!

My energy (i.e. adrenaline and steroids) had run out by the second store so Xhevat ran in by himself and came out with two bags of frozen jumbo partially deveined prawns with the heads and feet still attached... not exactly what I was thinking of but it would work. And home we went.

Mom, Xhevat and I swung into action as I clumsily and forgetfully called out orders of what to do next. Our guest arrived to the chaos of me cutting the lobster bits. Broth made. Risotto started. Tri-tip and peppers in oven.

Dinner was ready. As I was tired, the pots went onto the table. And we ate. And that lobster risotto was delicious and goodness and flavourishousness all wrapped up in one. The tri-tip was good. And of course I love peppers. Our guest had brought angel food cake & a lemon curd whipped cream.

So this is what I've learned today: 

- a headache can come at a good time (I couldn't have handled the stress of that shopping trip with my parents.)

- my parents will try and do almost anything to get what I need from my shopping list.

- my husband: good eyes (he came back with two bags of prawns because of a sale -- which they said was wrong but honoured. Yeah to $29.98 of prawns for $4.99!)

- Lobster: you are yummy! Perhaps someday I'll get to cook you alive but until then God can make anything precooked, frozen & thawed good.

- steak, peppers, & risotto: you are delicious as well.

- I can still adapt: live lobster to cooked, frozen, and thawed to prawns. Sometimes my brain gets stuck on what I want; glad I can still change and adapt.

- Losing control: I'm thankful that I can still ask for help & receive it. I don't have to do it all on my own.

And, of course, family and my friend. It was good to have them around. And dessert was delicious! Had the leftovers of dinner (plus more) for breakfast.

Overall, some good lessons to learn when all live lobsters have fled.

Maybe one day