Christmas Dinner 2023

Christmas dinner is not a challenge for me, unlike most people all over the world. Depending on your main dish selection and the corresponding side dishes, the difficulty level can differ for anyone, but I always suggest keeping it on the simple side so you can spend more time enjoying yourself than living in your kitchen. It was just my partner and me this year, keeping it a bit low-key and quiet. He just started a new job and didn't want to go too crazy, doing a little extra studying during the festive days off. His decision was leg of lamb, which I was happy with as turkey for two is either too much trouble or not special enough if using turkey thighs for your main dish. Using my kitchen and cooking tools (and skills) was a great decision, making our neighbourhood festivities available while also having time to cook. After visiting the local pub and enjoying a few rye and cokes (beer for him) we tried to gather an appetite, filling up on Christmas brunch with my family earlier in the day. Then we walked home ready for our culinary expedition.

Our menu consisted of a simple mixed greens salad with red wine vinaigrette, butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, new potatoes, and leg of lamb all prepared in a tiny kitchen. To begin we seared the seasoned lamb in a large roasting pan on the stovetop, while the oven was preheating to 350F, promptly setting off the smoke alarm of course. Once the lamb was brown on all sides, we lifted it and slid a stainless steel rack under the meat to sit it above the juices, and added water to the bottom of the pan. I used a coffee grinder to grind fresh rosemary and rubbed it with some chopped garlic and cracked pepper all over the seared lamb. Placed it in the oven for about an hour - 135F the goal internal cooking temperature for medium. 

With the meat in the oven, and the table already set, I was able to prepare the vegetables while he sat with a beverage watching football. I cut the new potatoes into quarters, the sprouts in half, and peeled and chopped the butternut squash into cubes, planning to roast each separately with the lamb.

The potatoes were coated in oil, salt, peppers, and oregano tossed in a bowl, and laid out in a Pyrex baking dish. 

The butternut squash was again tossed with oil, salt, and pepper but I added honey and minced fresh ginger and placed it in my orphaned Le Creuset baking dish. 

Finally, the sprouts were drizzled with oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt & pepper and placed in another of my antique cornflower Corningware baking dish. All of the sides sat atop my oven waiting to be slid onto a rack below the lamb, fitting in like Tetris blocks. 

Now I could sit and relax with a glass of wine, Copper Moon Shiraz, with the "hard" work done, as I scrolled through the internet viewing all the photos of Christmases in my friends' homes and kitchens, similar cooking stories being shared over the internet. About 30 minutes before the lamb should be done, the vegetables were added to the oven, while still relaxing in the aroma of lamb throughout my apartment. When the lamb timer went off I pulled it out - 135F on the thermometer -  I covered it with foil and let it rest. Removed the side dishes placed them in their serving dishes, and mixed the greens in red wine vinaigrette. I sliced the lamb placed the leg and the slices on a plate and brought all of the meal to the dinner table. 

The meal was perfectly cooked and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it really was to put together. There was enough for 4 people but leftovers are inevitable at Christmas, and I was glad for it. I had some last night too, and have a friend who loves lamb, and put together a small take-out container for him today. It was nice to sit at my dinner table and eat rather than the casual daily use of my coffee table. The clean-up was a breeze also, as I use the most important rule - "Clean as you go!" This rule is important in small workspaces, no matter what job. I washed up the dishes after a bit of time on the couch, while my partner enjoyed his

"food coma" stretching out on the larger couch. We were going to have dessert, some fancy chocolate pastries purchased in Mount Pleasant, but we were way too full so we saved them for the morning. The rest of our Christmas evening was spent watching episodes of the marathon broadcast of Cheers while dozing in the lights from the Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas to everyone, and Happy New Year. May all of you feel happy and relaxed over this festive season, catching up with friends and family. Catch up on sleep, like my cat did here on Christmas night.