After an array of fish appetizers, our first course on Christmas Eve that we sit down to includes these...... Steamed Crab Legs & Broiled Lobster Tails.  Everyone in my family loves these. Even my little Grandson Ryan goes crazy over crab legs. And this is definitely a course in itself.... You will want to take your time and enjoy these, so we serve them as a first course along with a simple shrimp cocktail and some fried calamari, of course. Serve them warm, right out of the pot or broiler for the best tasting legs and tails!!!

This is another example of a recipe with no recipe. There really is only a few simple steps to follow. Again...fish is such a flavor that you really do not want to do too much to compete with it. It is fantastic all on it's own. I told you....Christmas Eve dinner is sooo easy to do!!

First, find some big, amazing crab legs and lobster tails to work with!!! This may look like alot to you, but it is actually just for my family. You should see the amount of fish I cook on Christmas Eve for 26 people.....it's huge!!!!

First, we will steam the tails slightly to start the cooking process. Fit a large pot with a steamer basket. Add enough water to just touch the bottom of the basket. Bring to a boil and add the tails in. 

Steam for 5 minutes until the shells are just beginning to turn pink. Then remove from heat, set on a tray and let cool long enough to be able to handle them....

When they are cool enough to handle, grab a good scissor. You want to hold the tail and cut right down the back of the tail so we can open the shell......

Now, separate the lobster meat from the shell and pull out gently leaving the very end of the tail in tact. Close the shell underneath and let the meat rest on top..... This will make a beautiful presentation in the end!!!

  
In a small bowl, melt 1/2 cup of butter. Add a drizzle of olive oil and the juice of half of a lemon. Whisk all together and brush the tops of each tail generously.....

​Sprinkle all with Paprika. Place in the oven on a rack closest to the top. Set oven on high broil. Keep and eye on them. You want them to cook quickly, so they retain the juiciness inside and do not dry out. Just keep a close eye on them so they do not overcook.

Perfect.....now set them aside just for a minute while we prepare our crab legs. These will seriously only take 5 minutes. Lay your legs out on a cutting board and cut them in pieces. This makes it much easier to fit into a pot,,,,and for people to eat. I cut mine in 3 or 4 pieces.......

Throw them all into the same pot with the steamer basket and steam for literally five minutes!!!! DONE!!!!!

Last.....melt some butter to dip in and, place on a platter, put on the table and watch them disappear!!! Make alot, they will go quickly...... As we say in our family.....they are a mover!!!  

ENJOY!!!!!    ALL GOOD STUFF!!!!!