When many people thing of lobster they often think of pairing it with butter, cream, or mild cheeses to enhance the richness and the sweetness of the lobster- but with one small addition you can take your lobster experience to the next level- add vanilla!
Vanilla is a rich floral flavor that when added in a subtle amount makes your lobster even more rich and buttery. This is a classic example of how aroma chemistry and flavor pairings work as they do with wine pairings. Adding small quantities to butter sauces, cream reductions, or poaching liquids brings out the rich, buttery, nutty and somewhat woody notes and adds an element of sweetness but without being a dessert. In a way this is very much like adding a pinch of sugar to tomato sauce to enhance the sweetness and balance the acidity. So next time you are going out to eat or steaming a lobster for yourself try adding a small droplet of vanilla to your lobster and discover the magic of this pairing.
Allison Newton