This post may contain affiliate links.
3 Ingredient Lobster Tail with Thai Holy Basil Chili and Butter
Lobster Tail with Thai Holy Basil Chili Butter is the same decadent lobster tail but with Thai spices. It has the same savory buttery consistency and is just as easy to make. I only added one step because you can buy the Thai holy basil chili sauce pre-made. It not Thai Basil, it is a different plant that goes great with meats and seafood. You can find holy basil used in religious ceremonies in Southeast Asia, at your local Asian market or on Amazon by clicking here.
Chilli Paste With Holy Basil Leaves
Historically, Lobster has been a luxury food. Out of reach of most of us except for on special occasions. When I was a little street urchin kid my parents let me try it. I did not know how money worked or what expensive meant at the time. Once I cried when I asked for it at Red Lobster and my mom told the waiter I would have the kids meal. After he left she told she ordered it for herself so I could have it because she couldn't order a kids meal. My grandmother, God rest her soul, used to joke that even if a stranger offered me lobster I was not to go with them.
Recently, better transportation and means of getting lobster has meant that you can occasionally find it at reasonable costs. It used to be less expensive like brown rice. Some things have a way of being more valuable than was first realized and this is one of them. Let's hope the price keeps coming down and that it remains sustainable. To make sure you buy a lobster that helps with this goal check the Monterrey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Website or App first.
Lobster In Thailand
In Thailand, we went a beach in Pattaya. The natural area was beautiful with clear water, hilly terrain and tropical flora and fauna. The way they dealt with trash, hygiene and sustainability was a bit less attractive. Next to the restaurant on the beach there were piles of trash. There were boats bringing in buckets of what looked like slipper lobsters.
We got sick from the under-cooked shrimp we bought from a local vendor. I didn't see soap in the bathroom which makes me wonder about the corners they are cutting. I also have a really bad feeling they are eating an endangered species. If you can find any information about the conservation status of slipper lobsters let me know. I didn't find much when I did a quick search. I am not eating lobster in Thailand until I know more about their practices. Their recipes and spices however are genius. 
Ingredients:
- 2 medium Lobster tails bought from a sustainable source
- 2 tablespoons of Thai Holy Basil Chili Paste
- 1 cup melted olive oil butter for the tails and 1-2 cups of olive oil butter for dipping
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
- Split the shell with a knife trying not to cut the meat
- Remove the meat from the shell
Lobster Tails with Meat Removed
- Flip the shell upside down and put the meat on it
- Score the meat with crosses and brush with butter
- Top with basil chili paste
- Place the tail on a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes checking often to make sure not to overcook
- Melt the remaining olive oil butter and serve on the side as a dipping sauce and seasoning with more basil chili paste or pepper if desired. It sounds like a lot of butter but when you melt it it may not be enough.
- 2 medium Lobster tails bought from a sustainable source
- 2 tablespoons of Thai Holy Basil Chili Paste
- 1 cup melted olive oil butter for the tails and 1-2 cups of olive oil butter for dipping
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
- Split the shell with a knife trying not to cut the meat
- Remove the meat from the shell
- Flip the shell upside down and put the meat on it
- Score the meat with crosses and brush with butter
- Top with basil chili paste
- Place the tail on a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes checking often to make sure not to overcook
If you like this recipe you might also like one of these.
Panang Curry Salmon, Get your omega fatty acids with the full flavors of Thailand
Leave a Reply