(Family Features) The holiday season is a time of celebration – and there’s no better way to make the season’s celebrations extra delicious than with seafood, particularly lobster. Whether you’re hosting a holiday cocktail party, enjoying a casual meal or gathering family and friends for a feast, lobster makes a great addition to any holiday menu.

When you think of lobster, you probably think of a whole, steamed lobster – or maybe a grilled lobster tail paired with your favorite steak. But, it’s time to get inspired because lobster’s flavorful meat can be the star of a variety of dishes that will delight your friends and family.

“From tender Maine lobster tail to succulent claw, knuckle and leg meat, there are many interesting ways to prepare and enjoy lobster this holiday season,” said Chef Dustin Hilinski, Corporate Executive Chef at Red Lobster.

Red Lobster is the world’s biggest and best seafood restaurant and recently introduced a new menu with a variety of lobster-based dishes like Wood-Grilled Lobster Tacos and a Roasted Maine Lobster Bake. Here are a few tips from Chef Hilinski for incorporating lobster into a holiday meal:

Lose the fork and knife: Tacos are a great, party-friendly food to eat when mixing and mingling at a cocktail party. Try a twist on seafood tacos by using lobster. Start with fresh, warm flour tortillas and layer on cooked lobster, then add your favorite toppings. For a spicy kick, top with chunky pico de gallo or jalapeno-infused ranch.

Pair with pasta: When you’re hosting a large group over the holidays, pasta is a great way to serve family-style. Make pasta exciting with big bites of lobster, adding a familiar sauce like scampi.

Combine your favorite seafood dishes: It’s the season for indulgence, so there’s no need to choose just one of your seafood favorites. But, cooking all of your favorite seafoods at home can be intimidating, so leave the preparation to the experts. Red Lobster offers a variety of combinations to satisfy your cravings, like the new Wood-Grilled Lobster, Shrimp and Salmon – a Maine lobster tail, jumbo shrimp skewer and fresh Atlantic salmon, all wood-grilled, finished with brown butter and served over green beans and baby gold potatoes.

For more inspiration on how to enjoy lobster, and to find a Red Lobster location near you, visit www.redlobster.com.  

Sponsored by Red Lobster