New Year's Eve Feast - Broiled Lobster Tail, Truffled Cauliflower Mash, & Kale "Wedge" Salad

I can't quite believe 2014 is coming to a close. My family and I had a really whirlwind year. We had two engagements, two weddings, and a baby born this year! I married an incredible man and left my job at Nestle to pursue a new career. I do believe this calls for a celebration.

Though my husband and I are going out to a neighborhood restaurant for dinner this year, I firmly believe that you don't have to leave the house to celebrate on New Year's Eve. An intimate night with close friends and family, great food, and a television set for the count down are really all I need. It's also much easier on the wallet - especially now! Whole Foods is having their once a year sale on lobster tails. Instead of $9.99 each, they are $12 for two - such a good deal! I bought 6 and am keeping 4 in the freezer.

Like many other folks out there, we are planning to kick 2015 off with a healthy mindset. To get that mindset started a little early, I decided to make cauliflower mash instead of potatoes. With the richness of the lobster and the truffles, there just wasn't any need to pack on the indulgence of white potatoes. I got this recipe for lobster tails from my dad. He usually cooks them on a grill, but, since I live in a NYC condo, the broiler is my best option.

Broiled Lobster Tails
Serves 2

• 2 lobster tails
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• salt 
• pepper
• 2 tbsp butter, melted for dipping

Preheat broiler. Sprinkle lobster tails with salt and pepper and rub with olive oil until coated. Broil hard shell side up for approximately 5 minutes, until tails turn bright red and start to brown. 

Flip and broil for an additional 3-5 minutes, until visible meat is white and shell begins to curve and brown. Serve with melted butter for dipping.

Truffled Cauliflower Mash

Serves 2-4 depending on hunger level and size of lobster tails!

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 1/3 c reduced fat sour cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 tsp black truffle salt, more or less to taste
• 2 tsp black truffle oil

Chop cauliflower into medium sized pieces. Add to a medium saucepan with 2 inches of water at the bottom. Cover and steam until very soft, approximately 20 minutes, ensuring that there is always water in the pan. 

Add more if water boils off. Drain. Add sour cream, butter, and black truffle salt. Mash. 

Blend with a hand blender for smoother consistency if desired. 

Plate and drizzle with a small amount of black truffle oil.

Kale "Wedge" Salad

Serves 2

• 3 c chopped kale, large stems removed
• 3 slices prosciutto
• 2 oz blue cheese, chopped
• 1/c c blue cheese dressing (I use yogurt blue cheese dressing - only 35 calories per serving!)
• 4 cherry tomatoes

Broil proscuitto for 3-4 minutes per side, until crispy. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn! 

In a large bowl, mix kale and dressing. 

Toss to coat. Separate into 2 serving bowls. Crumble half of one of the prosciutto slices over each bowl. Sprinkle 1 oz chopped blue cheese in each bowl. 

Slice tomatoes in quarters and add 2 tomatoes to each bowl. 

Top with a whole crisped prosciutto slice for presentation.