So this year I decided that I wasn’t going to slave over the stove for hours on Christmas Day making a knockout dinner. Instead I was going to make a simple but tasty meal that didn’t require a lot of energy and time.
Or so I thought.
Unlike Thanksgiving, I didn’t spend hours researching recipes and compiling the perfect menu. Since I wasn’t going to be entertaining a host of folks (just my family of five plus my sis and Mom), I figured I could take the laid-back route. I hit Wegman’s with only a skeleton of a shopping list and a vague idea of what I wanted to cook. Some form of Surf ‘n Turf, a veggie and potatoes. We already had a rum cake in the pantry, so I was all set.
We ended up with prime rib, lobster, brussel sprouts, pancetta and red potatoes. I thought I’d whip up some kind of sauce for the prime rib and I’d be good to go.
Let’s just say I underestimated the prep work involved in actually getting this “easy” menu on the table. Two hours, a call from the fire department (that touchy smoke detector!), and watery eyes (shallots!) later, I finally got dinner on the table with the help of my sis. We had:
Pan-Seared Prime Rib (that ended up spending quite an unexpected bit of time in the oven because Hubby likes his beef well-done), accompanied by Lobster in Garlic-Shallot Butter Sauce. It was delish.
Because I can’t get enough of looking at this pretty beef.
My sister helping to shell the lobster. Yes, that is a bonafide hammer next to her. No, I apparently do not have an adequate seafood utensils set.
Brussel Sprouts with Crispy Pancetta. My sister screwed her nose up when I told her I was making brussel sprouts. She is now a believer.
Didn’t realize the picture was blurry until, um, RIGHT NOW. I’m rolling with it anyway.
Smashed Potatoes. These were more work than necessary. I think in the future I will just stick with my signature Roasted Red Potatoes or my Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
Note to self: Try to remember to take the photo BEFORE everyone starts eating.
Chatterbox actually took this photo. I just found it on the camera. Aren’t you impressed on how she was experimenting with depth (and hopefully not the champagne)?
Hope your Christmas Dinner was an easy one!
That IS some good looking meat…
That entire meal looks SCRUMPTIOUS, girl. And yes, that beef looks mighty fine.
Happy New Year! 🙂
Love love love this Christmas dinner. Me & the hubs are really trying to make better eating choices. Esp for holidays. Need to get away from our family traditions of fat bat infused vegetables, pork, etc.Thanks for sharing.