1. Butterfly the lobster tails by cutting along the top shell with kitchen shears and expose the meat without fully detaching it from the base. Position the meat on top of the shell for presentation.
2. Season the lobster tails by drizzling olive oil over the butterflied meat. Generously add sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and any desired spices like smoked paprika or cayenne pepper.
3. In a small saucepan, prepare the garlic butter sauce by melting butter over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant (about 2-3 minutes), then stir in lemon juice and any additional optional spices. Adjust seasoning to taste.
4. Preheat your oven to broil on high heat if using the broiling method. If opting for grilling or baking, preheat the necessary appliance accordingly.
5. Place the seasoned lobster tails on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or prepare them for grilling.
6. Generously brush the garlic butter sauce over the lobster meat before cooking for added flavor.
7. Cook the lobster tails using your chosen method:
a. Broiling: Position the lobster tails about 4-5 inches from the broiler and cook for 8-10 minutes, basting with additional butter halfway through.
b. Grilling: Place lobster tails meat-side down for 4-5 minutes, then flip, brush with garlic butter, and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
c. Baking: Brush with garlic butter and bake in a 375°F oven for 10-12 minutes until the meat is opaque.
8. Remove the lobster tails from heat and transfer them to a serving platter.
9. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or your choice of herbs like thyme or rosemary for an added pop of flavor and color.
10. Serve immediately with remaining garlic butter sauce on the side for dipping, pairing the dish with sides like steamed asparagus or a crisp green salad.