Dinner, Holidays / Entertaining, Poultry

My First Christmas Dinner

My First Christmas Dinner

This year CK and I decided to celebrate Christmas at home. This meant that I would be cooking my first Christmas Dinner, from start to finish, all on my own. I also thought it would be an ideal time to test out a rather puzzling Jennie-O turkey I received a few weeks ago that claimed to go from the freezer to your table (without defrosting) in approximately 4 hours. I know…it sounds totally absurd, right?

To cut down on the amount of work I would actually have to do on Christmas, I prepped all of my sides on Christmas Eve. Then yesterday all I had to do was sip a glass of champagne, pop the space-age turkey in the oven, and warm everything up. You’d think this would have cut down on the disastrous state of the kitchen but it really didn’t. As CK is more than aware, if I know how to do one thing really well it’s making a mess in the kitchen.

Jennie-O Oven Ready Turkey

In the end, the turkey in a bag came out moist and very flavorful. It also produced a huge amount of pan drippings that I made into real honest to goodness gravy, and the best part was that I didn’t have to scrub or soak the roasting pan at all. Since it was just CK and I eating dinner we now have enough leftovers for a small army. Do you think it’s alright if I have Sweet Potato Casserole for breakfast?

My Christmas Menu:

Roast Jennie-O Homestyle Oven Ready Turkey

Ina Garten’s Sausage Stuffing (My Note: I left out the sausage).

Tyler Florence’s Creamed Spinach

Sweet Potato Casserole (My Note: I added marshmallows to the top too).