ROADSTEAD FARMS 4TH OF JULY LOBSTER FEST & FAMILY BBQ
Featuring Split Grilled Lobster with French Herbs & Lime Citrus Butter
Our subscribers… You!… Deserve something special on this long holiday weekend.
How about our super-secret family recipe for split lobstas (“On the Barbie”) Simples & Worts Herbal Apothecary style?
Yet’s go!
The Star of the Show: 2-Pound Hardshell Lobster on the Barbie
There’s no better way to celebrate Cape Cod’s coastal magic than splitting a freshly harvested hardshell lobster down the middle and grilling it to perfection over hardwood coals.
Ours gets a signature treatment with:
- French Herbs: A mélange of fresh tarragon, thyme, chervil, chive, and parsley.
- Lime Citrus Butter: Butter whipped with lime zest and juice, a dash of Dijon, and cracked black pepper.
Technique:
1. Parboil the lobster for 4–5 minutes, just to begin firming the meat.
2. Cool slightly, then split lengthwise through the head and tail.
3. Remove the intestinal tract, rinse lightly, and pat dry.
4. Brush meat with citrus herb butter and grill shell-side down until cooked through.
5. Brush again just before serving.
The Heart of the Dish: Scallop & Shrimp Cornbread Stuffing
This buttery seafood stuffing steals the show—served in the split lobster cavity or alongside.
Stuffing Highlights:
- Chunks of sea scallops and shrimp, sautéed in butter with garlic and shallots.
- Tossed with day-old cornbread, a splash of white wine, and a mix of celery, herbs, and lemon zest.
- Baked in a cast iron pan on the grill or inside the lobster cavity (wrapped in foil).
Family-Style Dessert: Mousse au Chocolat
Serve a French-style chocolate mousse in a large stoneware bowl.
- Use dark chocolate, folded with whipped cream and egg yolks (or aquafaba for a dairy-free/egg-free version).
- Garnish with shaved chocolate, mint sprigs, or Cape Cod blueberries.
Other Crowd Pleasers on the Grill
Not everyone loves lobster, and that’s okay. Your grill can handle it all:
- All-beef hot dogs and marinated chicken drumsticks and thighs with rosemary and lemon.
- Grilled corn on the cob with smoked paprika butter.
- Portobello mushrooms with herbed goat cheese for vegetarians.
Drinks Station: Coastal & Casual
Set up a vintage beverage bar with:
- Local craft beers, chilled white wines (Sauvignon Blanc or Grüner Veltliner), and rosé.
- Citrus punch with sparkling water for the kids and non-drinkers.
- DIY garnish station with lime wedges, mint, and rosemary sprigs.
Pro Tip: Add a steamer clam first course if you have the energy left to do so. Get steamer thin-shell clams and steam them open. Serve immediately with mugs of broth for dipping and then a dip into the drawn butter.
Note that if you have a large crew to feed then we place an equal portion of steamers, uncooked, into a cheesecloth cotton mesh bag. Then, we steam them with the steams and bags. We use long-landled tongs to serve. Much quicker and easier this way. Have some scissors around for cutting the bags open rather than trying to untie a hot knot of cheesecloth open!
Theme & Decor: Coastal 4th of July on the Farm
Decor Concepts:
- Red-white-and-blue striped table runners.
- Mason jars with floating candles and herbs like lavender or mint.
- Driftwood centerpieces with tiny American flags.
- Farm-fresh floral arrangements (hydrangeas, daisies, wild herbs).
Invitations:
- Natural-toned paper with a lobster motif.
- RSVP for lobster count and dietary preferences.
- Post-event downloadable recipe card as a keepsake.
Airline Tie-In: “Fly-In Feast” Concept
Promote this as a “Fly-In Lobster Fest”:
- Coordinate with local small airport shuttles.
- Offer upgraded 'Welcome Aboard' tote bags with Roadstead Farms goods.
Optional Add-Ons for a Memorable Event
- Live Music: Acoustic guitar, fiddle, or small Americana band.
- Fire Pit S’mores Station with herbal-infused marshmallows.
- Farm Tours: Short post-dinner walk through the herb spiral or chicken run.
- DIY Flag Making Station for kids with fabric scraps and clothespins.
Postscript
Snap photos for Instagram and blog.
Offer free printable recipe card PDF.
Link to Track #6 educational channel for more O.O.E.E. events.
Until next time...
I am...
Phil Wilson...
And, here's to living an Herbal Lifestyle With You!