Microwaveable frozen lobster tail product

Abstract

In one embodiment, a minimally-processed microwaveable lobster product including a lobster tail, a fat-containing composition, and a microwaveable package. The lobster tail has a shell containing lobster meat. The shell has a longitudinal axis with at least one cut formed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The fat-containing composition is disposed in a region above the lobster tail. The microwaveable package has first and second resilient layers. The first resilient layer is disposed under the lobster tail and contacts the lobster tail. The second resilient layer is disposed above the lobster tail and contacts the lobster tail and the fat-containing composition.

1 . A minimally-processed microwaveable lobster product comprising:
 a lobster tail having a shell containing lobster meat, the shell having a longitudinal axis with at least one cut formed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis;   a fat-containing composition disposed in a region above the lobster tail; and   a microwaveable package comprising first and second resilient layers, the first resilient layer disposed under the lobster tail and contacting the lobster tail, and the second resilient layer disposed above the lobster tail and contacting the lobster tail and the fat-containing composition.   
     
     
         2 . The minimally-processed microwaveable lobster product of  claim 1 , wherein the fat-containing composition is disposed above an exposed portion of lobster meat. 
     
     
         3 . The minimally-processed microwaveable lobster product of  claim 1 , wherein the fat-containing composition is disposed above at least one cut formed along the longitudinal axis of the shell. 
     
     
         4 . The minimally-processed microwaveable lobster product of  claim 1 , wherein the microwaveable package is vacuum-packed. 
     
     
         5 . The minimally-processed microwaveable lobster product of  claim 1 , wherein the fat-containing composition is a solid or semi-solid compound. 
     
     
         6 . The minimally-processed microwaveable lobster product of  claim 1 , further comprising a second lobster tail having a shell containing lobster meat, the shell having a longitudinal axis with at least one cut formed along the longitudinal axis, wherein:
 the first resilient layer is disposed under both lobster tails and contacts both lobster tails,   the second resilient layer is disposed above both lobster tails and contacts both lobster tails and the fat-containing composition, and   the solid or semi-solid fat-containing composition is disposed in a region above both lobster tails.   
     
     
         7 . The minimally-processed microwaveable lobster product of  claim 1 , wherein the lobster tail is unglazed. 
     
     
         8 . The minimally-processed microwaveable lobster product of  claim 1 , wherein the lobster tail is unbrined. 
     
     
         9 . The minimally-processed microwaveable lobster product of  claim 1 , wherein the fat-containing composition is composed primarily of unsalted butter. 
     
     
         10 . The minimally-processed microwaveable lobster product of  claim 1 , wherein the lobster tail is a soft-shell lobster tail. 
     
     
         11 . A method for manufacturing a microwaveable lobster product, the method comprising:
 (a) forming a cut generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shell of a lobster tail containing lobster meat;   (b) disposing a fat-containing composition in a region above the lobster tail; and   (c) disposing the lobster tail and fat-containing composition together in a microwaveable package comprising first and second resilient layers, such that the first resilient layer is disposed under the lobster tail and contacts the lobster tail, and the second resilient layer is disposed above the lobster tail and contacts the lobster tail and the fat-containing composition.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein step (b) comprises disposing the fat-containing composition above an exposed portion of lobster meat. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein step (b) comprises disposing the fat-containing composition above at least one cut formed along the longitudinal axis of the shell. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising (d) vacuum-packing the microwaveable package. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the fat-containing composition is a solid or semi-solid compound. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 (d) disposing, in the microwaveable package, a second lobster tail having a shell containing lobster meat, the shell having a longitudinal axis with at least one cut formed along the longitudinal axis, wherein:   the first resilient layer is disposed under both lobster tails and contacts both lobster tails,   the second resilient layer is disposed above both lobster tails and contacts both lobster tails and the fat-containing composition, and   the solid or semi-solid fat-containing composition is disposed in a region above both lobster tails.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the lobster tail is unglazed. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the lobster tail is unbrined. 
     
     
         19 . The microwaveable lobster product of  claim 11 , wherein the fat-containing composition is composed primarily of unsalted butter. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the lobster tail is a soft-shell lobster tail.