From Claire’s family we have Christmas traditions. While her mother brings us all the Swedish traditions, her grandfathers were both British and so we have two Christmas dinners! On the 24th of December we do Julafton and Christmas Day is our British Christmas.

Today, I’m going to go through our full British Christmas dinner. It’s so big, we have to break it into TWO parts!

Part 1 is Roast Beef with Gravy and Yorkshire pudding.

Part 2 is Pan-fried Brussels Sprouts and Mashed Potatoes.

At the end of Part 2 I’ll give you a timed breakdown for how to cook this meal and have it all ready and hot at the same time!

Let’s get at this!

Part 1: Roast Beef w/ Gravy & Yorkshire Pudding

 

Roast Beef

Here’s what you’ll need for the Roast Beef:

• 1 beef roast (size depends on # of people – this 1.5 lb roast is good for 4 servings plus a little left over)
• olive oil
• seasoned salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)

Place your beef in a roasting pan and brush with the olive oil.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper (to taste).

Insert a meat thermometer and place roast in 375F oven. You’ll want to cook until the internal temperature is about 150F for a nice medium rare. This takes approximately 25-30 min per pound.

When roast is done let it rest, covered,  for 15-20 min. Remove any string used to hold it together.

On a cutting board, slice the roast into thin slices.

Let’s see how to make the gravy!

Gravy

You’ll need:

• 2 cups of beef stock
• 1/4 cup of flour
• 1/4 cup of butter

Melt the butter in a small pot on the stove top.

Slowly start to add the flour, just a small amount at a time.

Keep whisking as you add the flour.

Once mixed, start to add the beef stock the same way.

Don’t forget those pan drippings!

Get that in your gravy for incredible flavour.

Add some pepper or herbs to taste. Heat and stir until it’s the consistency you want. Gravy!

Now, the lovely Yorkshire Pudding.

Yorkshire Pudding

For this, you’ll need:

• 1 cup of flour
• 3/4 cup of heavy cream or milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp of butter (melted and cooled)

Sift the flour into a mixing bowl.

Create a well on the top of the flour and add the eggs.

Mix the flour from the edges in with the egg while adding the cream slowly.

Once the flour is fully incorporated, pour in the remainder of the cream.

Add the melted butter and stir.

Let your mixture sit for an hour!

Now, hour has passed thanks to the internet …

Add oil to a cake pan. You can also do individual puddings in a muffin tin, play around!

Pour into the pan

Place in 450F oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown with a solid centre.

Let the pudding cool. The centre will deflate, that’s okay!

and there you have it, Yorkshire Pudding!

That’s our first part done. Friday we’ll cover the recipes for the rest of the meal and I’ll go over the plan that will let you cook this all at once!

Bon Apetit!