You’ve planned the guest list, set the date, planned the main course, and the invitations have been sent out. All that’s left is to kick the festivities off right with pre-dinner drinks and cocktails perfectly married with tantalizing appetizers.
Appetizers are a preview of what the rest of the night will have in store. When it comes to succulent appetizers, you can’t go wrong with fresh lobster. Welcome your guests with delectable and intriguing lobster cocktails that will spark conversation and leave your guests’ taste buds begging for more.
In this guide, we’ve compiled a few of our favorite lobster appetizers perfect for your next cocktail party. From ingredients and preparation to presentation, we’ve got you covered. Don’t live near Maine, where fresh lobster is readily available? With the advent of lobster delivery sites, fresh lobster is now easily accessible with specialized delivery solutions that provide you with the fresh-caught premium lobster ocean to plate.
Dive in and let us know what you think, and don’t be afraid to put your flair or twist on this timeless classic seafood.
1. GOURMET LOBSTER TOAST CUPS
Transform the conventional lobster roll into a creamy, delicious gourmet lobster toast cup brought to you by the Canadian Maritimes culture. Creamy lobster salad stuffed into a crispy, hot toasted bread cup is an immaculate appetizer to start the perfect cocktail party!
INGREDIENTS AND TOOLS
TOAST CUPS
- 12 slices of white bread, soft
- Melted butter (3 tbsp)
- Rolling pin
- Mini muffin pan
LOBSTER SALAD
- Cooked lobster meat (1 ¼ cups)
- Mayonnaise (3 tbsp)
- 1 green onion
- 1 stick finely diced celery
- Lemon juice (2 tsp)
- Salt and pepper
PREPARATION
Toast Cups
Using a rolling pin, roll each bread slice until firmly flattened.
- Trim off each side of the crust and cut each slice into 4 squares
- Brush both sides of flattened bread with melted butter
- Take each small square and press it into the holes of the mini muffin pan.
- Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool.
Lobster Salad
- In a bowl, combine and mix the remaining ingredients. If needed, the lobster salad may be covered and stored in the fridge for up to 4 hours
- Spoon lobster salad into toast cups and serve
PRESENTATION
Since this lobster appetizer is already an edible cup, an elegant way to present these delicious toast cups is to simply place 4-6 cups on small plates. Arrange the smaller plates according to preference and garnish a pinch of black peppercorns and celery leaves.
2. LOBSTER AND CREAM CHEESE WONTONS
Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of creativity to transform hors d’oeuvre into a delicacy, and these lobster and cream cheese wontons are the perfect way to do just that. To put a one-of-a-kind twist on your wontons, spice it up with some sriracha sauce to add some flavor to these cream cheese-filled crunchy triangles of delight!
INGREDIENTS AND TOOLS
Yield: 8 wontons
- Cream cheese (8oz)
- Chopped lobster meat (1 cup)
- Scallions (¼ cup)
- Soy sauce (1 tsp)
- 1 large egg
- Wonton wrappers
- Canola oil
- Large bowl
- Non-stick skillet or frying pan
PREPARE
- Combine cream cheese, scallions, soy sauce, and egg in a large bowl.
- Continuously add chopped lobster as you stir into a paste.
- Breeze over wonton wrappers with a wet cloth to prevent stickiness
- Scoop about 1 teaspoon of cheese filling into each wonton wrapper and fold diagonally into a triangle
- Pinch the sides closed with your thumb, releasing as much air as possible from the center of the wonton wrapper.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil on high heat and carefully drop in your sealed wontons for about 3 minutes or until they float to the surface. Remove and let dry.
- Using a non-stick pan, heat canola oil over medium heat. Place wontons in the pan and cook for about 30-60 seconds on each side until the edges are golden brown.
PRESENTATION
Because lobster wontons are triangular, plating your appetizer is usually a breeze as the shape is an art in itself. But, elegant events call for custom hors d ‘oeuvres, so placing a set of personalized dipping cups of soy sauce, or sriracha next to a simple line of overlapping wontons will speak wonders for your notable lobster cream cheese delicacy.
3. CUCUMBER LOBSTER SLICES
A cold crisp appetizer is always appreciated while serving hot hors d ‘oeuvres, and cucumbers are still a delight! These fresh, crisp cucumber lobster slices are the perfect way to give your guests a zesty and refreshing cucumber-lime treat!
INGREDIENTS AND TOOLS
Yield: 20 slices
- Large unpeeled cucumbers (2)
- Fresh cooked, finely chopped lobster (¼ cup)
- Finely diced celery (¼ cup)
- Fresh lime zest (1 tsp)
- Fresh lime juice (¼ tsp)
- Thinly sliced green onion (3 tsp)
- Extra Virgin olive oil (1½ tbsp)
- Kosher salt
- Cracked black peppercorns
- Melon baller scoop
PREPARE
- Slice cucumbers into 1 inch thick slices
- Carefully cut a small amount off the sides of each cucumber slice until the shape is more square leaving each corner with a dark green peel
- Using a melon baller scoop, scoop out the middle of each cucumber slice. Flip upside down and lightly salt each slice. Let drain.
- In a small bowl, combine lobster, celery, lime zest, lime juice, green onion, olive oil, salt, and black peppercorn, and mix.
- Scoop your seafood filling into each cucumber slice
PRESENTATION
The best way to plate a squared sliced cucumber is on a circular plate. Stack cucumber slices in a circular spiral starting from the outside perimeter of the serving plate. To add color and aesthetic, add celery leaves and edible flowers. Voilà!
Everyone Loves Lobster!
Lobster appetizers are the perfect preview before your main course. Consider adding this succulent and delectable seafood to the menu for your next special event, and delight your invitees with a special appetizer they won’t soon forget.
