Roast Beef Dinner

Anyone else getting all geared up for Christmas?? I am!

I have gifts for everyone but two people on my list. That makes me feel oh so good. We pulled out the Christmas tree and decorations this weekend, too, so now I get to spend the next month decorating and re-decorating each time my toddler decides to grab the pretty, shiny things. Lol!

 We also pulled out Abby's nativity scene already in hopes of it being a distraction from everything else....but sparkling tree ornaments, stuffed snowmen, and lights are far more exciting for her.


So this weekend I made a big roast beef dinner. I have had nothing but good things said about it so I wanted to share it with you all! I always go "all out" and prepare roast beef, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, gravy, and Yorkshire pudding. It's Chad's ultimate favorite meal. I'm getting more comfortable with the major multitasking that is required so it's quite satisfying to make!

Don't mind the balled up curtain in the corner....a certain little person pulled the rod out of the wall the other day so it's waiting to be re-hung.

I tend to buy my roasts at Costco. For the quality of the roast the price can't really be beat. And, Chad loves that they come in a pack of two...so when I decide to splurge and do a roast beef dinner he knows there is a second one to come at some point!

My "secret" is this magical ingredient:

Yep, onion soup mix. If you can find it with garlic it's even better. I put my roast into the pan, add some crisco if it's not very fatty, sprinkle it with pepper and a package of the soup mix. It gives a nice flavour to the roast, but more importantly it's what makes the gravy taste so delicious!

I throw it into the oven at 350F for 30 minutes per pound of meat. I always round down my time as we like our roast medium-rare (though some times with all my multitasking it ends up being more medium than anything...). When it's done I pull it out, put the roast on a cutting board inside a pan (to catch any juices that drip out) and cover it with foil to let it rest.

While the roast is in the oven I cook my potatoes and my peas and carrots and then save the water in a bowl when I drain them. This is what helps make a great gravy, too. The starch from the potato water and the sweetness from the veggies help to thicken and round out the flavour of the pan drippings.

Once the roast is out of the oven I whip the yorkshire pudding ingredients together and fire them into the oven. They take half an hour to cook so I throw them in before I make my gravy and do any last minute prep for my salad or whatever.

Here's my Yorkshire pudding recipe:

Makes 12

1 cup flour

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup COLD water

2 eggs

Melt margarine in the bottom of each muffin cup. Divide batter into tray.

400F for 30 minutes or until golden brown

These can be a little tricky to make and if not done properly they won't rise and you get nice, tough, hockey pucks. The main thing to remember is that the milk, water, and eggs need to be cold. Like, straight out of the fridge cold. Then, when you're mixing the batter you have to do it gently and as little as possible. You obviously don't want flour chunks but don't over mix either! I beat my eggs in with my milk and water before adding to the flour.

What's your family's favourite meal? Share in the comments!