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Menu Plan for Winter II: Week 3, Wednesday
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Daily Recipes:
Christmas Eve Dinner
Smoked Salmon with Traditional Garnish
Standing Rib Roast / Yorkshire Pudding, Horseradish Sauce
Cauliflower Parmesan
Bûche de Noël recipe not included
Cooking time: 60 - 90 minutes for menu Cooking schedule: see below for instructions
Holiday meals are full of tradition. This is ours. You could substitute a whole or half beef tenderloin, roasted, for the Rib Roast.
Smoked Salmon with Traditional Garnish
Total time: 30 minutes
This is not meant to be done with the dry-smoked, shrink- wrapped 'Cajun (or whatever) salmon. It is meant to be the moist, European kind that is either pre-sliced or sliced off a whole salmon in paper thin slices. You will want 2 - 3 slices per person depending on how big the slice. The serving should almost cover the plate. If you have never tried this
kind now is the time! If you are having salad tomorrow will want 1/2 to 2/3 as much as for this. Dry white wine or Champagne is best.
Ingredients:
- Smoked salmon for 2 people, 6oz, (180gr) total
- 1 lemon
- 2 slices whole wheat bread, buttered, crusts trimmed and sliced into fourths
- 2 eggs, hard boiled
- 2 tbs minced red onion
- 2 tbs small or minced capers
Instructions:
- Boil eggs - can be done earlier in the day.
- Peel eggs.
- Finely chop egg whites and yolks, keeping separate or simply quarter.
- Mince onion.
- To serve: Lay salmon out on plates, put bread points around salmon. Arrange eggs, onion and capers around salmon on each plate. Quarter lemon and put 2 quarters on each plate.
- To eat: Squeeze the lemon over the salmon and enjoy with bread and garnishes.
Standing Rib Roast with Yorkshire Pudding and Horseradish Sauce
Preparation and cooking time:
60 - 90 minutes, 20-25 minutes per pound for medium rare. You need a meat thermometer
You can get a rib roast small enough for 2... with leftovers. We used to get a 1 - 2 rib roast. If it won't 'stand' just put it on a meat rack. I have no photo as this was our dinner when we lived in the US. Prime rib is not easy to find where we live now.
Ingredients:
- 1 standing rib roast (also know as Prime Rib), small, 32oz (1000gr)
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
Instructions:
- The Beef:
- Drizzle Worcestershire over entire roast.
- Rub with thyme and garlic.
- Either stand roast or lay it on a rack in a baking pan. Insert meat thermometer. If using one that has a temperature alarm set it for 125F (52C) for rare, 130F (55C) for medium rare, 140F (60C) for medium.
- Put into 425F (215C) oven.
- When alarm goes off or thermometer registers 125F (52C) (or whatever temp you choose) remove from oven and cover securely with foil to keep warm and allow to rest for 30 minutes. It will continue to cook another 5 degrees or so while resting, bringing it up to the perfect temperature.
- When it is done resting, (the resting is important if you want nice, juicy beef - and to make the Yorkshire Pudding) slice and serve.
- The Yorkshire Pudding: see below for recipe
- When temperature reaches 115 start to make Yorkshire Pudding; temporarily removing roast to get the drippings.
- Put Pudding in oven when beef is done.
Yorkshire Pudding
Total time: 35 minutes
This a bit tricky with a small roast; it is supposed to be made with the fat from the roast but there may not be enough from a small roast. Here is how I manage:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (4.5oz, 135gr) flour
- 1 cup (8oz, 240ml) milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbs beef drippings or butter or combination
- 2 tbs beef stock
Instructions:
- In medium bowl whisk the eggs.
- Add the milk, flour and salt; whisk.
- Let rest 10 - 30 minutes.
- Put drippings/butter and stock in a baking dish. I use a 10 inch (25cm) square.
- When beef is almost ready to come out, heat the baking dish in the 425F (215C) oven (the same as for roast) until butter is melted.
- Remove and pour in pudding batter.
- Immediately take beef out and put pudding in. Oven door should not be opened while pudding bakes.
- Bake 20 minutes.
- Reduce heat to 375F (190C) and continue baking 12 - 15 minutes more, until golden and puffed up.
- Remove and serve immediately.
Horseradish Sauce
Time: 10 minutes
Crème fraiche can be whipped - and gives a lovely, slightly tangy flavor to the sauce. If you can't get it, substitute regular heavy whipping cream.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (4oz, 125ml) crème fraiche
- 1 tbs prepared horseradish
- 1 tsp dried tarragon
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Instructions:
- Put the crème fraiche into a large bowl and whisk until soft and fluffy... maybe even some soft peaks.
- Whisk in horseradish and herbs.
- Refrigerate until needed.
Cauliflower Parmesan
Total time: 30 minutes
Sometimes, simple is best.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 head cauliflower
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 1/4 cup (1oz, 30gr) Parmesan, freshly grated
Instructions:
- Cut cauliflower into pieces, put into a steamer and steam over water for 12 - 15 minutes until fork-tender.
- Remove and empty water from pan.
- Heat oil in the same pan. Add cauliflower and sauté briefly.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve.
Cooking Schedule: 90 minutes |
Check beef, if close (115F) remove and get 2 tbs of MERRY CHRISTMAS! |
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