Help me plan a Christmas Dinner

**McD** · 12-27-2011, 11:32 AM

We haven't had our annual Christmas Dinner with our neighbor yet. We'll be having it on the 30th, shortly after I get off work.

I know for sure that I want to make a prime rib.

What else? What goes with it? How would you cook it?

**madhen** · 12-27-2011, 11:36 AM

My tried and true prime rib method:

1) Take roast out of fridge about 2 hours before cooking it.
2) Season with salt and pepper
3) When ready to cook, preheat oven to 350F.
4) Sear prime rib on all sides in very hot olive oil on stove top (you'll want your exhaust fan on)
5) Top seared rib (now in roasting pan on rack) with fresh springs of rosemary and thyme, smashed garlic cloves, and cut up chunks of butter (I use unsalted, but if you don't have a use for unsalted, salted works)
6) Pop in oven, and once the juice starts flowing, baste with bulb baster about every 30 minutes until rib is at desired temp. (I go to about 140F.)
7) Take out of oven and allow to rest for about 15 minutes before carving

I serve with this:

Mustard-Roasted Potatoes Recipe at Epicurious.com

**Libby** · 12-27-2011, 11:40 AM

Mmm...prime rib! Don't forget the gravy!

Usually we have green beans, blanched broccoli or oven roasted brussells sprouts, mashed taters, maybe boiled carrots, garden salad and Yorkshire pudding (aka popovers)

**McD** · 12-27-2011, 12:09 PM

I don't 'do' gravy.

**oheoh's momma** · 12-27-2011, 12:13 PM

Prime rib is delicious and they say it is easy I do not know never made it before. but madhen's method is the way I have had it .it is wow! When we have had it with garlic mashed potatoes, prime rib drippings, and cesear salad.....It is my favorite uhm.. non frugal meal....Good luck and have fun...

**madhen** · 12-27-2011, 12:16 PM

It is VERY easy to make. Just expensive as heck to buy!!

Oh, and I don't get the pre-cut stuff. I go to the meat department and get a roast that is NOT cradled; i.e, the meat NOT cut off the rib. It allows the fat and flavour to go through the whole roast, and not just run off when it hits the cut.

**McD** · 12-27-2011, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by madhen

It is VERY easy to make. Just expensive as heck to buy!!

Oh, and I don't get the pre-cut stuff. I go to the meat department and get a roast that is NOT cradled; i.e, the meat NOT cut off the rib. It allows the fat and flavour to go through the whole roast, and not just run off when it hits the cut.

Good to know!

It is expensive, but our Christmas with our neighbor is the only Christmas that he celebrates. Therefore, I make every effort to go all out. And it is

So far, I am definitely doing prime rib. Do most people do au jus with it or horseradish?

I love the idea of a caesar salad. FANCY!

A simple pasta salad is a given. I serve the same one for every holiday (rotini, italian dressing, various veggies). Our neighbor loves it.

Some sort of potato.

I was toying with the idea of bacon wrapped asparagus, but I might nix that in favor of a marinated mushroom.

I always make some sort of 'fluff' dessert for the kids. We are kind of burnt out on Watergate. Any other suggestions.

And then I will make some small dessert.

OH! And rolls!

**Libby** · 12-27-2011, 01:32 PM

What about classic cups of jello or jello pudding w/whipped cream for dessert? Simple chocolate cake?

Out of curiosity, what is it exactly about 'gravy' that you 'don't do'? Do you not like or not able to make it?

**oheoh's momma** · 12-27-2011, 01:43 PM

Ok we call it a lush here 1 cup of flour cup of butter mix and bake ( a shortbread cookie Goggle it) cool. the the fun begins it is pudding mix and milk. cream cheese and cool whip.. butterscotch, chocolate, lemon. top with nuts, candy. what ever it is a method... The pan is licked clean every time I have ever made it or seen it... And it is CHEAP!

**Contrary Housewife** · 12-27-2011, 01:53 PM

There's only one way to do prime rib -- medium rare. Do it like Madhen suggests, serve it simply au jus and horseradish sour cream on the side.

Caesar salad is too easy to make and is an excellent choice for a side dish. I would go with a simple baked potato, with basic toppings like crumbled bacon, sour cream, and chopped green onions. The prime rib is really the star of your meal. You don't want to overwhelm the meat with too many spices or different flavors.

Creme brulee would be a nice easy dessert, and very elegant with the meal. Or a vanilla pudding with fruit compote.

**Ssindi** · 12-27-2011, 02:09 PM

Creme brulee is easy to make? I've been thinking about trying it sometime if it is not to complicated.

Funny about not "doing" gravy. I don't do prime rib. I'm sure DH would love it but it is way too much meat. I'm not a big beef lover.

**McD** · 12-27-2011, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Libby

What about classic cups of jello or jello pudding w/whipped cream for dessert? Simple chocolate cake?

Out of curiosity, what is it exactly about 'gravy' that you 'don't do'? Do you not like or not able to make it?

I don't like it. And in this house, if momma doesn't like it...it doesn't get made.