Maine lobsters are a delicacy that is enjoyed around the world. The sweet taste of the meat combined with a warm drawn butter has long been a favorite for seafood lovers. Most people, however, are hesitant to try to take on this dish at home. They think it is a task best left to the "experts."

What these people do not realize is, Maine lobsters are easy to cook, and with a little bit of care, they can prepare a tasty dish that will thrill their friends and family.

Lobster meat will go bad relatively quickly after the lobster dies, so fresh lobster is sold alive. If you are not going to cook the lobster immediately after you get home, or you do not have an aquarium set up t keep it in, you should put it into the refrigerator. Lobsters can be kept out of the water in a refrigerated state for up to two days. When the temperature drops below a certain point the lobster will go into a state of hibernations, so you do not need to be worried about it crawling around the refrigerator. Keep it moist by wrapping it in some wet paper towels, and put it into the coldest part of your refrigerator. Make sure you keep it in the container you purchased it in, or place it in an open container. If you put it in an airtight container, the lobster will die.

When it comes time to cook your lobster, you need to decide how you are going to do it. While some people like to steam or grill their lobster, the quickest, easiest, and most popular method is to boil it. Simply fill a large pot with enough water to completely cover the lobster, add 1 tablespoon of salt for each quart of water, and bring it to a boil.

Leave the lobster in the refrigerator until the water is boiling and you are ready to begin cooking. If the lobster is in a hibernation state, you can drop it into the water without a fight. The boiling water will kill the lobster before it ever wakes up.

Boil the lobster for between until the shell turns a bright red color. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the lobster. The internal temperature should be 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you do not want to deal with live lobsters, you can also purchase frozen lobster tails. Although many people feel that frozen tails loose some of the sweetness you get from cooking live lobsters, they are still delicious.

If you want to prepare a meal that will really impress people, consider adding fresh Maine lobster to the menu. You and your guests will be glad you did.