Starts now: buy one, get one 20% off. Shop now.

20% off one-of-a-kind, vintage finds. Shop the collection.

It’s here! Find nostalgic pieces for bright, beloved traditions and unfolding joy. Shop the holiday collection.

Eduardo Garcia's Grilled Lobster Aguachile

Grilled Lobster Aguachile

byEduardo Garcia
Total 1 hour and 15 minutes
Active 75 mins
Makes 8 tostadas
Special Equipment
a tortilla press
Special Equipment
a tortilla press
Ingredients
For the Marinade and Lobster
  • 1 tablespoon achiote paste
  • 6 cloves garlic, chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Three 8-ounce spiny lobster tails
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Aguachile
  • 1/2 white onion, chopped
  • 2 cups chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 poblano pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces, seeds removed
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 cup water, or as needed
  • 1 recipe Tostada Shells (recipe follows)
  • Sliced cucumber and pickled red onions, to serve
    Tostada Shells
    • 8 fresh Corn Tortillas (recipe follows)
    • Corn oil, for frying
    • Sea salt
      Corn Tortillas
      • 2 cups white masa harina, such as Masienda
      • 1 1/2 to 2 cups very warm water
      • Avocado oil, as needed
        Directions
        1. For the marinade and lobster: In a mortar and pestle or a small food processor, purée the achiote, garlic, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
        2. Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, split the tails in half lengthwise. Brush the lobster with the marinade. Allow the lobster tails to marinate for 30 minutes.
        3. Prepare a grill or grill pan for medium heat. Drizzle the lobster tails with the oil and grill, meat-side down, until deep golden grill marks form, about 6 minutes. Flip the tails and cook until just cooked through, another 5 to 10 minutes. Bubbles should start to form around the tail meat.
        4. Meanwhile, for the aguachile: In a blender, combine the onion, cilantro, poblano, lime juice, and salt. Blend until finely chopped and bright green. Add water until you have a loose sauce. Purée until smooth.
        5. Remove the lobster from the shell and cut the meat into 1/2-inch pieces. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of the aguachile and toss to coat. Serve the aguachile with the tostada shells, extra sauce, and cucumber and pickled onion.
        1. Tostada Shells
          1. Line a plate with a paper towel. Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to the pan to come up about 1 inch. Heat the oil until the edge of a tortilla sizzles immediately when dipped in the oil. Once hot, slide a tortilla into the oil and fry until golden-brown and crispy, about 1 minute per side. Use tongs to transfer the crispy tortilla to the paper-towel-lined plate and season with a pinch of salt. Continue with the remaining tortillas, adjusting the heat as needed.
        1. Corn Tortillas
          1. Place the masa harina in a medium bowl. Slowly add the water while mixing with your hands until it is a moldable consistency. It should form a ball but not be sticky. Once the dough has come together, shape it into balls about the size of Ping-Pong balls. Place each ball into a tortilla press and press until flat.
          2. Heat a griddle over medium heat. Brush the hot pan with some oil to coat the pan if needed. Place a tortilla on the griddle and cook until it begins to puff and has a few lightly browned spots, about 1 minute. Flip the tortilla and cook on the other side until lightly browned and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes more. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.