Entertaining into the New Year

    Entertaining into the New Year!

    By Jacqueline Gomes, RD, MBA

    Are you ready for one final push with your holiday festivities? It’s time to ring in 2025 with a special evening filled with delicious foods, friends and family.

    Appetizers – a great way to keep guests entertained while they’re waiting for the ball to drop. Keep it simple with cheese platters, shrimp cocktail, crackers and dip; tea sandwiches and bacon wrapped scallops just to name a few. When in doubt…pop some frozen Hors d’oeuvres in the oven!

    Main entrée: Enjoy more time with your guests and prepare dinner buffet style. Create a special dish for a special evening, salmon is a rich flavored fish that is easy to prepare and nutrient rich in protein and omega-3’s.

    What about portions? Generally, for poultry, meat and fish you can plan on 6 ounces per person.  When you consider, appetizers and side dishes this should be plenty.

    Desserts: Finger style desserts like cookies, biscotti, chocolate covered berries and lemon bars work great to keep people mingling!

    Side Dishes: Pasta is a crowd pleaser! For pasta, calculate about two ounces (dry) per person if it’s being served as a side dish. If pasta is your main, figure about four ounces per person.

    Waiting For the ball drop: There are many traditions around the world that serve different foods or drinks when the ball is about to drop. In my family we eat grapes as we count down from 12 to Happy New Year; we make a wish for each grape we eat.

    Surf & Turf

    This elegant surf and turf recipe pairs juicy shell steak with buttery lobster tails for a restaurant-quality meal at home.

    Surf and Turf

    Prep: 10 minutes

    Cook: 10-15 minutes

    Makes: 2 Servings

    Ingredients

    For the Shell Steak:

    • 2 (8-10 oz) shell steaks (strip steaks)
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary or thyme, chopped
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

    For the Lobster Tails:

    • 2 lobster tails
    • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
    • 1 clove garlic, minced
    • 1 tsp lemon juice
    • 1 tsp paprika
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    1. Prep the Steaks

    Remove the shell steaks from the fridge 1 hour before cooking to bring them to room temperature. Pat dry with paper towels, then rub with olive oil. Season generously with salt, pepper, garlic, and rosemary or thyme.

    1. Prep the Lobster Tails

    Using kitchen scissors, cut through the top shell of each lobster tail lengthwise, stopping just before the tail fin. Gently pull the shell apart to expose the meat and lift it slightly above the shell.

    In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper. Brush this mixture over the lobster meat.

    1. Cook the Steaks

    Heat a cast-iron skillet or grill pan over high heat. Once hot, sear the steaks for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare (adjust time for desired doneness). Let the steaks rest under foil for 5 minutes.

    1. Cook the Lobster Tails

    Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the lobster tails on a baking sheet and roast for 8-10 minutes, until the meat is opaque and slightly firm. Baste with extra butter halfway through cooking.

    1. Plate and Serve

    Place each steak and lobster tail on a plate. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve with your choice of sides. Enjoy this decadent meal with a glass of your favorite wine or mocktail!