Christmas Dinner

 

I am not a fan of turkey and Christmas is to close to Thanksgiving to have turkey again. I really like pork roast ( and it was on sale) so that is what I fixed. I like a dry roast rub, I  am not a fan of  Crockpot pork roast.  It is really good done in a cast iron skillet, then it gets nice and brown on the bottom and the juice  makes a great pan sauce.

 

Pork Roast with Greek dry rub

 

The rub

4  large garlic cloves chopped fine

2  Tblsp fresh rosemary chopped fine

3  Tblsp kosher salt

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp fresh oregano chopped

1 tsp lemon zest 

 

You can use this on pork, chicken or beef.

1 6 lbs pork roast (not loin)

I like  to rub the meat down with some olive oil,then with the rub,on a cookie sheet spread some of the rub in the bottom and roll the roast around on it . Put more rub as needed to thoroughly cat all sides of roast.  Save the left over rub if any in a jar with a good sealing lid and put it the freezer.

I like to use a deep cast iron skillet

This one also has ridges, so it will keep the meat out of the grease.

Place the pork roast in skillet after you have rubbed it down and place it fat side up.

 

Set oven to  *325 and roast for 20 to 30 minutes per pound or until juices run clear, but don’t over cook.

Take roast out and cover with foil to rest.

I like to serve this with the juice from the pan. When you remove the meat from the pan, place pan on med. heat. Add about 1 to 2 cups water(I use the water that I discarded from potatoes) and simmer,use a whisk to get bits up off the bottom of the pan. If you like you may add abit a thickener (1 Tblsp cornstarch in a little water and add to pan) Taste for seasoning and adjust. I can not convey to you how good this is!  As you slice this you will have to restrain yourself to keep from just nibbling it all away!

I served the Pork with cheesy mashed potatoes. This is a recipe I made up and we really like it especially if I am not serving gravy. You can make this with leftover mashed potatoes, but who has leftover mashed potatoes??

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

4 large  potatoes (chopped)you may leave skins on if you like,I have done it both ways.

2 large cloves of garlic (whole and pealed)

1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup fresh parmesan cheese

1/2 to 1 cup cream

1/4 stick of (real butter)

salt to taste 

1 tsp fresh cracked pepper

 

 

 

Place potatoes and garlic (whole and pealed) in large pan and enough water to cover the potatoes. Boil until potatoes are fork tender,drain off water (save water for pan sauce ), make sure you don’t discard garlic.

Pre heat oven to *350

Mash the potatoes and garlic, salt and pepper. Add the  sour cream and 1/2 cup cheddar and the parmesan cheese. Mix in thoroughly, slowly add the cream until mashed potato consistency, taste for seasoning.  In a buttered casserole dish 13x9, put the potato mixture in dish and top with remaining shredded cheese, bake till cheese lightly browns and melts and potatoes are hot thru.

You will notice that this dish is not low fat! You are not going to eat this everyday ! It is a holiday, you can work out twice the next day! 

I served Sautéed Garlic Green  Beans as another side.

These are so good and easy to fix. I just open a quart of green beans, drain or 2 cans, 1 garlic clove chopped. In non-stick skillet melt a bit of butter over medium heat, add garlic and stir, cook till softened. Add green beans and salt and pepper. I like to cook the beans until they get a bit of color on them.

These are some of my favorite recipes!  The pork roast is so easy and leftovers are great!!! How can you go wrong with cheese and potatoes??? 

I hope you try some of these recipes, you won’t regret it!

 

Until next time!

 

Nana Nita