Poor Man’s Lobster
Poor Man’s Lobster is a whitefish prepared to mimic lobster. The fish is cooked in boiling water with sugar, salt and lemon juice that firms and flavors the fish into the similar texture and taste of lobster. Serve with butter for dipping, just like the classic lobster.
Of course nothing beats the tender sweet, succulent and delectable taste of real authentic lobster, but if you’re on a tight budget like mine, the Poor Man’s Lobster can fill in as a great affordable substitute that hits close to home. Serve it up with potato wedges, corn on the cob or a slaw salad and you’ll have the whole Fish Boil meal.
Best Whitefish to use
Cod is typically the go-to for whitefish, that’s what I used here for my Poor Man’s Lobster and pictured. You can use pollock, hake or haddock. Halibut, dogfish or striped bass would work as well depending on the fish you can find readily available in your area.
Ingredients Needed
For 2 people you will need about 1 pound of whitefish, sugar, salt, lemons, butter and seafood seasoning of your choice.
Poor Man’s Lobster
Ingredients
- 1 LB Whitefish
- 1 Cup Sugar
- ¼ Cup Salt
- 2 Lemons
- 4 Oz Melted Butter
- Seafood Seasoning – Optional
Instructions
- Bring about 2 quarts of water to a boil in stock pot or dutch oven pan.
- Cube fish into bite sized portions. About 1 inch by 1 inch pieces.
- When the water has come to a boil add the sugar and salt. Stir to mix.
- Squeeze the juice from ½ a lemon into the boiling water and add then add that lemon piece to the water.
- Add the cubed fish to the boiling water.
- When the water starts to boil again, reduce heat to medium high, but keep the water at a boil.
- Boil fish for about 5-10 minutes, until the fish float to the surface.
- While the fish is cooking, melt the 4 oz of butter either in a small saucepan on the stove or a microwavable dish in the microwave.
- Once fish is cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the cubed fish and put them on a paper-towel lined dish and blot to remove extra moisture. Remove paper-towel.
- Serve fish with melted butter and lemon wedges. Sprinkle with seafood seasoning if desired.