Menu Planning: Christmas Edition

I’ve decided to cook a beef fillet for the main course and star of our Christmas day lunch and dinner.

A couple years ago, Real Simple had a spread on different ways to cook a beef roast fillet. I scoured the internet and Real Simple’s site for what seemed like forever and an hour. Finally, voila!

I plan to have this and a good amount of sides – mostly a crusty bread, some yummy spreads and lighter sides like salads or something. The plan is that everyone can just put together their own. If you want a beef sandwich – go for it. Or if you want just the beef and the sides, that’s there, too. Easy Peazy.

I’m not trying to slave away in the kitchen while my mom is visiting but still want homemade stuff. We usually spend the afternoon at the movies, so it’s a great way to have a meal that’s just come and get whenever. You know me, this is the first stage in my menu planning and is a work in progress or internet surfing. Shoot, we could be eating turkey day of like the rest of folks.

For breakfast, I’m making a pesto onion, shallot and egg tart. I don't know the official name for it. It’s so yum. I’ve been making it ever since I was in high school. My mom goes over the moon for it. I’m a mother pleaser – what can I say?!

For dessert, I’m going to try my best to re-create Gravitas’ butterscotch bread pudding. This bread pudding is out of this world of yum. I’ve never made a bread pudding before, so let’s keep our fingers crossed. I plan to serve it with my new vice: Haagen Daz’ Honey Vanilla ice cream. It is major.

Pesto Onion & Shallot Egg Tart (or quiche).
One small yellow onion sliced thin
One shallot sliced thin
3 eggs
One pie crust ready made (I usually just get the one that’s already in the tin. So easy.)
Pesto
Butter

Step one – melt just enough butter to coat a pan, add onion and shallots. Cook until soft and translucent.
Step two – beat/whisk your eggs.
Step three – cover the bottom of your pie crust with the pesto. Just spoon it on and spread it out.
Step four – pour your onions and shallots into the crust.
Step five – pour eggs on top.
Step six – bake in a 400 degree over until eggs are set. Done.