Christmas Dinner 2013

Christmas Dinner 2013

By far this year's Christmas has been the most memorable thus far, mostly due to the ice storm that hit most of Southern Ontario three days before Christmas. On Saturday night freezing rain poured down on the city from morning til night and into the next morning leaving Toronto in a sheet of ice reeking havoc on the electricity wires. On Sunday we woke up to a cold, dark and icy city wondering what kind of Christmas is was going to be this year. Thankfully, all of my family received our electricity back before Christmas Eve and our thoughts and prayers were with those who were without. By Christmas Day everything was almost back to normal. The ground was now covered with fresh, fluffy snow creating a winter wonderland. This year, we celebrated Christmas Day at my sister's house and to help out with the preparations we all pitched in on the cooking. Efi was in charge of making the roasts; Turkey and Roast Beef. My Mom and I were responsible for the fixings. My Mom made the stuffing and I cooked up my Festive Green Beans and Winter Roasted Potatoes. For an appetizer I baked up a couple dozen Tres Quesos Empanadas. 

Festival Green Beans

2 lbs fresh green beans
8 cocktail tomatoes, quartered
1 onion, diced
1 tbsp minced garlic
5 slices of bacon, chopped
1/2 tbsp mint
salt 
pepper
canola oil

1. Stem the green beans for 10 minutes. Set aside.

2. In a large wok, saute onions, garlic and tomatoes until tomatoes are softened.

3. Season with mint, salt and pepper. Throw in the green beans and continue sauteing until green beans are coated.

4. Crisp up the bacon in a separate pan, drain and add to the green beans. 

*Serve warm

Winter Roasted Potatoes

3 lbs mini yellow flesh potatoes, quartered
1 red onion, sliced
1 tbsp mince garlic
salt (generous)
pepper
1 tsp sage
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp basil
olive oil
1/3 cup water

1. Preheat oven to 450F.

2. Put all the ingredients in a large roasting pan. Cover with foil and roast for 45 minutes.

3. After 45 minutes uncover the pan, lower the heat to 425F and continue roasting for another 15 minutes to allow the potatoes to slightly crisp up.

Festive Green Beans

Winter Roasted Potatoes