We were excited to host our Smith family for Christmas this year… And because it was a smaller group than we normally have together, I was really looking forward to being able to all sit down together for Christmas dinner.
My parents had gotten me a new roasting pan for my birthday this year too, along with an electric carving knife, so I was looking forward to putting both to good use with a nice Christmas Turkey! Last year, I made a small breast with a dry brine, and I’m telling you - it’s the way to go. You let it sit with in the fridge for 2-3 days, uncovered, with the salty/herb mixture on the skin so it gets extra dry, then you cover it with room temperature butter and cook it… The skin is SO crispy and the inside is incredibly moist and full of flavor. And when you cook it with a thermometer, you can watch the temp and stop it when it’s done, so there’s no guess work. It’s so easy…
We spent the morning straightening up and preparing the table… Placing a pretty little book about the First Christmas Story, an ornament, and some homemade mulling spices at each setting. We were expecting Tyler’s father Dan, our lady-in-law Carla, his brother Jarod, and Uncle Buck to arrive in the early afternoon and we couldn’t wait to see them.
Jarod came early because he had a rib roast to cook up for us on the grill! He arrived and was so helpful, peeling potatoes and carrots for me, and filling the ice bucket. We salted the meat and got the grill all fired up just in time, then everyone else arrived, including Carla’s adorable Boxer named Josie.
Pops carved the Turkey for us when it was time to eat, and we enjoyed it alongside Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Carrots and Parsnips, a Radicchio Salad with Pears, Goat Cheese, Walnuts, and a Balsamic Dressing, Carla’s Roasted Broccoli, and of course… Gravy. I just love to show love the people we love by cooking for them and sharing in a meal, especially during the holidays. And Jarod’s roast turned out absolutely perfectly… Grill it low and slow for a couple hours and then crank the heat up to crisp the outside… It was amazing! We cooked it to 135 degrees and it was exactly what we were going for.
After dinner, Jarod and I took our telescope and went out to look at the moon, which was awesome, and we stayed up until almost 4am talking about philosophy and all kinds of deep things that most people want no part of discussing, so that was the highlight of my evening! I love my talks with Jare… We sat by the fire with our whiskeys and froze our bums off, but the time was so well spent!
The next morning, we woke up and enjoyed a breakfast together before opening gifts and finishing out the morning with a nice long walk together, with the pups too of course, around the neighborhood before they left to head home. I made another Frittata, Red Pepper, Spinach, and Gruyere Cheese this time, accompanied by Sausage, Bacon, Ricotta Pancakes and Syrup, Orange Juice, Sparkling Cider, French Press Coffee, and Lox and Bagels with a side of Red Onion, Capers, Cream Cheese, and fresh Dill. We ate till we were stuffed, and then left for our walk.
^ Some of the party aftermath, lol…
I love our family because we just are who we are and love each other for it no matter what. We were already planning for next year as everyone was leaving… :)
And that wraps up my little recap of our Christmas this year. It was very special, and definitely one to remember!