I know how people get around holidays. Any chance to decorate, and we’re on top of it! But it’s really been bugging me that everywhere I turn, there’s green velvet cupcakes, green cake pops, green Jell-O, green pudding… enough! Just because it’s green, doesn’t mean it’s Irish. And all that food dye… you’ll be pooping green for weeks. No really, you will.
I love cutesy cake pops and cupcakes, I really do! (And I even have a little green dessert of my own that I’ll be posting later this week. Hypocrite? Maaaybe.) But what about speaking up for real Irish dishes? Something that would be even more St Patrick-y than a green whoopie pie? Something that would make your friends go ooh-la-la?
This is it: Dublin Lawyer. I can’t speak as to how this dish got it’s name. There are a number of theories floating around, one being that only lawyers (or people of high class professions,) could afford lobster and whiskey. Whatever the case may be, this is definitely a rare treat that is made on special occasions, and holidays.
I found that most recipes (including the one I used) had the lobster in the pan too long, resulting in chewy, over-cooked lobster chunks. So I have changed it, adding the lobster later on in the dish, so they stay sweet and tender. Also, traditional recipes for this dish call for the use of a whole lobster. Well, I live in a weird part of Southern California where whole lobsters are hard to find without having to drive over an hour to the coast, so I just used lobster tails. The process will be the same though, if you get to use the whole lobster (lucky you!).
I will had to admit, I did not have Irish whiskey on hand when I made this. So I went with good ol’ JD.
This dish is sweet and luscious, and the whiskey imparts a delicious smoky background.
I haven’t seen any traditional side dishes served with this, except a couple of places where they said to serve with beans. I would probably serve this on it’s own as the seafood/meat course of my dinner.
See? Now you’ve got something Irish and not-green to serve your family for St. Patrick’s Day!
(…But yeah, later this week I’m giving into peer pressure and posting my own green dessert.)
This looks so good. Can’t afford lobster this year, I wonder if it would taste good with shrimp or scallops??? Will give it a try and let you know.
Thanks so much