The Maine course

If you're planning a romantic dinner and you're wondering what to serve, lobster may be just the thing. It's relatively inexpensive and only takes about 15 minutes to make. Besides, it's fun to eat and will impress even the most discerning food connoisseur.

And even if you didn't major in home economics, you can breathe easy--lobster's one of the simplest foods to prepare. If you can boil water, you'll do just fine.

Before you begin

Familiarize yourself with your options by doing some lobster "window shopping." Visit or phone local markets to determine who sells fresh lobster, and for how much. You can also type "lobster" into most Internet search engines and find several companies, restaurants, and fish markets that promise one-day delivery. Spend some time comparison shopping. Many of these places offer toll-free numbers, which you can take advantage of to determine who offers the best prices, and who seems the most reliable.

Visit the library, a local bookstore, or a lobster-related website to find recipes and tips for cooking and serving lobster. Also, prepare side dishes to eat with the lobster--like green salad, rice, or potatoes--in advance, since the cooking time for lobsters is relatively brief.