Surf and turf

Surf and turf or surf 'n' turf is a main course which combines seafood and meat. The seafood used may be lobster,prawns, or shrimp, which may be steamed, grilled or breaded and fried. When served with lobster, the lobster tail or a whole lobster may be served with the dish. The meat is typically beefsteak, although others may be used. One type of combination is lobster and filet mignon. Surf and turf is eaten in steakhouses in North America and Australia, and may be available in British/Irish-style pubs.

Etymology

It is unclear where the term originated. The earliest known citation is from 1961, in the Los Angeles Times.

History

Surf and turf is often considered to symbolize middlebrow "Continental cuisine" of the 1960s and 1970s, with (frozen) lobster and steak as ersatz status foodstuffs for the middle class.

The name has been reappropriated ironically by more recent chefs such as Thomas Keller.

See also