No one should miss the opportunity to sit down to a dinner of fresh shellfish. Living near a coastline would obviously be the easiest way to enjoy such a dinner. Although residents of inland communities may not have as easy access, they may step out to the local fishmonger or restaurant in the area specializing in fresh shellfish who likely have their produce shipped in fresh on a daily basis. A more convenient option is to purchase fresh shellfish from a reputable online store. As Fedex offers overnight delivery within the continental US, you can enjoy a fresh seafood meal on a regular basis without having to settle for the poor substitute of a frozen entree.

Lobster is certainly the king of seafood. The first one which decided to try and eat one must have had courage. In fact, they were not popular for a long time. Did you know that what to us is a pricey delicacy was once the food of commoners? It's true; however, that piece of trivia will probably be small comfort when you?re shelling out $11.95 a pound in stores or $29.95 in a restaurant. Often times ordering online is the best way to ensure you are getting the freshest lobster possible. After all, even if your in the Arizona desert, this way you can order it directly from a coastal area and have it shipped to you.

If you wish to prepare lobster at home, you buy one per person, alive and kicking at your fishmonger or seafood counter, bringing them home in a bag. Do not put them in fresh water; people often do, but it will kill them. Just close the bag well and keep it in the refrigerator. They don't really keep: plan to eat them that evening.

The hardest part in preparing lobster is the actual act of killing it. For the squeamish, the easiest and most humane way to end a lobster's life is to plunge it in to boiling water. Another, faster option in butchering a lobster is to use a knife to make a quick incision between the lobster's head and body. Not only does the latter technique kill the lobster immediately, but it also allows for more creative cooking options, such as steaming or grilling the lobster.

Put on a bib, serve your lobster with some butter and lemon, and don't stand on ceremony. There are tasty morsels of meat all throughout the shell. Green tomalley or red roe which you may find in the body is edible as well, and gourmets prize this for sure.

This type of ocean-based meal doesn't need limit itself to lobster, of course. What about trying some fresh shellfish like mussels (just scrub them well and steam them in water, wine or broth)? What about steamer clams, which you steam and then dip in clam broth to wash any remaining sand from the beach? Oysters are popular fried, baked, and even raw. And then there's shrimp, langoustines, crayfish? To enjoy the gift of the sea, these are all delicious ways.

If all these kinds of seafood are still a bit daunting, there's another choice for the faint of heart. You can always go to the soup aisle and purchase some clam chowder. Fresh fish is better, but you'll at least get the true briny taste of the ocean. Serve it with oyster crackers, perhaps an extra dash of cream, and lots of ground black pepper. Then, pretend you're on the beach.