December 25, 2011

Christmas!

Whew!....

My favorite part of Christmas is the time after the activities....this time.  My guests just left around 3:30.  I had Christmas brunch cum lunch (late!) to accommodate worship services.  I'm glad that I didn't have brunch, for I would have never been ready!

After consuming a large and delicious meal last evening, when I came home, I didn't have energy for anything other than pouring the brine into a bag for the pork roast and pouring a glass of wine.  We still had EPA cleanup to do before guests arrived the next day.  We managed to get everything done.

I didn't make a fancy lunch, but it was quite lovely.  I purchased a pork loin (not tenderloin) roast.  It's the type that is beautifully doubled over and tied nicely.  I brined it; brought it to room temp on the microwave low setting (Power 2); browned in a heavy pan over the flame; covered in mustard and then garlic that was mortar and pestled with kosher salt and rubbed through.  I then coated with Italian Breadcrumbs.  I put quarter onions, pears and apples in the pan as well. I put oven on convection at 375 and cooked with a temperature probe to reach 155 degrees.  Took it out and let it rest.  I then mashed the roasted vegetables/fruit in the pan and put on the flame on slightly to incorporate drippings.  I then pureed in food processor. I used this "butter" to slather onto each succulent slice of beautifully roasted and very moist from the brine pork.

Sam's had fingerling potatoes.  I sliced and then coated these with oil and my proprietary blend of spices.  Actually, it was going through the spice carousel in the corner cabinet and grabbing this and that.  No two attempts are the same.  They also had beautiful asparagus.  I simply prepped them, drizzled oil and then roasted them on the grill.  I made a fresh cranberry sauce and had store bought croissants.  Also, we a a smoked turkey, courtesy of one of my husband's colleagues.  I sliced this up in advance.

My stepmom brought a beautiful pound cake (that had been gifted to her--and she and now two!).  I simply sliced it, put ice cream on it and made a quick fudge sauce (bittersweet and milk chocolate discs melted with some half and half).  It was sublime.

It was a wonderful day. I have a clean house and leftovers!    I then sat on the couch with two of my dogs and watched a movie by myself.  Such a nice holiday. I hope that yours was enjoyable too.

Related Posts:

  • Winter Friends VisitingVirginia is an overwintering place for several bird species.  I have my year-round friends, red-bellied woodpecker (yes, they have red on the belly), tufted titmouse, cardinal, carolina wren, eastern blue birds, goldfinc… Read More
  • 2021 Barred Owl Cam For bird lovers, there is much information and live action via the bird cams on the All About Birds website.  I particularly like the barred owl bird cam which you can watch live here. We have a mating pair of barr… Read More
  • New Baby Quilt + Fun with Triangles I wrote about my learning Inkscape (that learning is ongoing), and using the project of a baby quilt to provide concrete means of understanding basic concepts.I settled on the following patternHere is my finished quilt … Read More
  • 2021I had much to say.  Deleted it.  Much damage has been done.  Much trust has been lost.  Many lives have been lost, and others change forever.May we find some healing, and an openness on the part of others … Read More
  • Suet for Birds There are several suet recipes for birds and much debate about what should or should not be included with respect to fats.  In general it it best to not use bacon grease.  Birds cannot metabolize salt and sure… Read More

0 comments:

Post a Comment