Christmas Dinner 2009!
*Disclaimer: Photos in this post are from the video camera – so excuse the quality!
Christmas dinner this year was a small family affair this year – just me, Roberto, my mom and the furry babies. Again I was looking for simplicity. Having just prepared the Feast of the Fishes the night before, I wasn’t feeling like spending hours in the kitchen, again, no matter how much I love cooking! But I did want something special and delicious. So I let my beloved Tagine do the work for me. We added a quick starter and easy side dish and called it dinner!
We started with a tortellini soup. This is something Roberto loves having every year around the winter holidays, because his Mamma used to make it every year this time of year. She uses beef broth in hers, but this year I used some more of my Thanksgiving turkey stock that was in the freezer. Basically I put 2 cups of stock and 1 cup of filtered water on the boil – and added a splash of white wine, some fresh thyme and salt and pepper. Once it came to a slow boil, I added a small package of tortellini. In about 3 minutes it was done. On top we grated some pecorino dolce, and called it the first course!
For the second course, on my mom’s suggestion, we prepared my Nana’s famous stuffed artichokes. You make a stuffing of fresh bread crumbs, Italian parsley, freshly grated Parmesan cheese and enough olive oil to make it come together. Season with salt and pepper. You then stuff the first several rows of outer leaves with the stuffing. Then place stuffed artichokes in a pan with about an inch of water and some fresh squeezed lemon juice. Bring to a boil, lower the temp, put the lid on, and let steam for about 45 minutes. I hadn’t had these in years, and they were so good! I really should make them more often.
For the main course, I wanted something festive, that wasn’t turkey, since we had just roasted one a few weeks ago, for Thanksgiving. I saw some lamb at the store – which is a rarity in these parts, so I picked up a few packages of chops (and some for stew, later). I marinated the lamb chops in a healthy drizzle olive oil, splash of red wine, fresh thyme, and a splash of balsamic. I wanted to serve the chops with our favorite vegetable side – roasted carrots and potatoes! So I chopped 5 potatoes and 6 carrots in large chunks, drizzled them with olive oil and placed them on the bottom of the tagine. I arranged the chops on top, poured the rest of the marinade on top and put on the lid. I placed the tagine in a 350 F oven and cooked it for 1 ½ hours. I didn’t even need to add any liquid. The meat came out falling off the bone.
For dessert it was leftover Pandoro from our trifle the night before. We had a nice and relaxing time – a delicious and festive meal without too much time in the kitchen!
Bob - December 30, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Glad you had a good time, the meal sounds awesome! I almost bought some lamb the other day, but restrained myself since my girlfriend won’t eat it.
Pam - December 30, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Wonderful dishes!
Happy New Year’s to you both!
Prosperous Blessings!
Enjoy!
Maria - December 30, 2009 at 2:50 pm
What a feast! Glad you had a great holiday. Happy New Year to you and yours!
bellini valli - December 30, 2009 at 3:17 pm
It is always nice to take a breather and have a quieter Christmas. It all sounds delicious!!! Have a safe and foodie-filled New Years Jenn & Roberto.
Rosa - December 30, 2009 at 3:37 pm
A wonderful dinner!
Best wishes for 2010
cheers,
Rosa
pam - December 30, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Sounds like a wonderful dinner! I hope you have a Happy New Year!
Jen of a2eatwrite - December 30, 2009 at 5:48 pm
This looks absolutely perfect, Jenn. I still have to catch up with your fishes post. The artichokes are making me drool.
Peter G - December 30, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I love tortellini soup…and I’m still impressed with your tagine cooking skills. That recipe sounds so easy. Wishing you and Roberto a happy 2010.
kat - December 30, 2009 at 7:35 pm
wow! happy 2010!
Joan Nova - December 30, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Nothing wrong with those pictures. All 3 made me drool. Every time you post something made in your tagine, I think I need to get me one. Maybe in 2010.
All the best to you and Roberto in the new year.
HoneyB - December 31, 2009 at 7:10 am
Looks like a lovely meal! I have always wanted to try making artichoke at home. You make it sound so easy (and yummy!) Happy New Year!
Peter - December 31, 2009 at 7:13 am
The pics still look good…a soft glow, kinda like a soft-porn for couples look, I like it! ;P
Have a wonderful New Year and thank you again for being a friend and a valued influence in my blogging realm.
Natashya - December 31, 2009 at 7:39 am
That is the one thing about American Thanksgiving, so close to Christmas that you don’t have a chance to miss turkey.
Lovely meal, sounds like you had a nice, peaceful holiday with lots of friends, family and fun.
Arlene - December 31, 2009 at 9:05 am
Actually the pictures are too bad. It sure was tasty, wasn’t it!
Helen - December 31, 2009 at 9:09 am
Happy Christmas Jenn! It looks like you had a lovely Christmas meal. A very happy new year to you too!
Ivy - December 31, 2009 at 9:20 am
Everything sounds awesome and the pictures are great. My best wishes to you and your family for the New Year.
Michelle - December 31, 2009 at 9:36 am
Sounds delish! I might have to get one of those tagines….sounds like it’s something I could handle.
kat - December 31, 2009 at 11:27 am
A beautiful holiday feast. It made me crave artichokes. I have a hard time buying the little things I see in the store here in MN since we used to get them as big as my head fresh from the fields in CA
sabah - December 31, 2009 at 7:44 pm
My best wishes for the New Year for you and for your family!
Anita - December 31, 2009 at 8:41 pm
The artichokes sound lovely. I don’t even think I’ve tried artichokes… I think I’m missing out 🙁
Judy - December 31, 2009 at 9:59 pm
What a wonderful looking meal Jenn! Thank you so much for the friendship we have forged throughout the past year. You’ve become a very important part of my life! Happy New Year to you and Roberto and of course the furry ones! Wishing you an incredible 2010!
Pam - December 31, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Jen, I just wanted you know what an inspiration you are to me…from making homemade bread to cheesemaking (on my list to do) to homemade wine that hubby Cliff makes…..thank you!
Hope you have a wonderful New Year!
Enjoy!
Michelle - December 31, 2009 at 11:18 pm
The photos may be from a video camera but the hues are gorgeous! The stuffed artichokes sound fantastic.
Thought I’d let you know that the link to your blog under “MY BLOG” in your About Me Profile links to your old address.
Happy New Year to you and yours!
Johanna - January 1, 2010 at 8:46 am
such great simplicity – just what the spirit of the festive season needs
Glennis - Can't Believe We Ate - January 1, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Jenn, this looks fabulous! Serious yumminess! The artichoke recipe is one I’ve considered…rather, one similar, as I don’t think I knew your Grandmother. Artichokes will soon be plentiful here in Northern CA…inland…never as big as my head though…softball size, oh yeah. *Ü*
Wishing all in your Queendom a happy & healthy new year full of wonderful things!