Christmas 2010
Recipes (others):
Prime Rib - I used Elise's guidelines, but, really, it's hard to mess this up as long as you have a meat thermometer.
Creamed Spinach - This really is as good as it gets, a perfect recipe.
Recipes (mine):
Garlic mashed potatoes: Place 20 cloves unpeeled garlic in a small skillet. Toast on low heat, shaking the pan occasionally, until browned in spots and soft, about 25 minutes. Let cool, then peel and cut off root end.
In the meantime, place 2 pounds peeled potatoes in a large pot. Cover with cold water by 1 inch. bring to a boil on high, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 25 minutes. Drain potatoes, then cut into small enough chunks to put through a food mill or ricer.
Over empty pot, push the potatoes and roasted garlic through the mill or ricer in batches. Add 1 stick (8 tablespoons) melted butter and fold. Then add 1 cup half and half, heated, and stir to combine. Season with a teaspoon of Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, if desired.
Deviled eggs: Put 6 eggs in small sauce pan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then turn the heat off and leave covered for 17 minutes. Remove cover and run under cold water to stop the cooking. I did this part twice; I made a dozen eggs total. Peel. Slice the eggs vertically, removing the yolks to a separate bowl as you work. Mix the yolks with mayonnaise, mustard and pickle juice, as desired. Spoon filling into a sandwich bag, then cut one corner off the bag to create a piping mechanism. Squeeze as much filling into each egg half as you wish.
Cranberry sauce: Stir one cup water and one cup sugar into a large pot. Bring to a boil, then add one 12-oz. bag of cranberries. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, until all the cranberries have "popped." Add 1/4 teaspoon or so of both ground cinnamon and nutmeg and stir to combine. Let cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Store bought:
Butter rolls bought from Cream Pan.
