December 23, 1999
This year's holiday menu should be extra special after all, it's the twentieth century finale. Serve a menu of classics in tribute to the past, but give it a contemporary update to welcome the new millennium.
Memorable Main Dishes
¨A beef roast is the classic holiday main dish, enjoyed both for delicious flavor and easy preparation. It's easy because once the roast is in the oven, no attention is needed. Plus, there is a beef roast for every size gathering, every budget.
¨Balsamic & Garlic-Pepper Beef Roast is especially simple. A quick brushing of balsamic vinegar goes on first, then a convenient purchased seasoning blend is pressed onto the roast, and it's ready for the oven.
¨A beef rib roast is always an impressive choice for holidays and carving it at the table adds an even more festive flair.
A Side to Remember
¨Versatile rice can be the beginning of many different and delicious side dishes to complement the holiday menu.
¨Classic Herb-Nut Pilaf is a flavorful accompaniment to the beef. Extra long grain white rice is cooked with beef broth, sautéed celery and onions, then accented with bay leaves, pine nuts and parsley. Prepare a double recipe to make sure there's plenty!
¨For an elegant side dish, serve Florentine Rice Casserole with the roast. In this streamlined version, cooked rice is combined with prepared Alfredo sauce and frozen creamed spinach, then topped with a pre-shredded cheese blend.
Divine Desserts
¨Holiday desserts must be spectacular, and when they're homemade, they're extra special. Beginning with a cake or brownie mix and prepared frosting gives you a jump-start.
¨White Chocolate Raspberry Cake will dazzle friends and family with luscious flavor and elegant style. Simply add melted white chocolate to both the cake layers and fluffy vanilla frosting for a flavor update. Garnish this grand finale dessert with delicate white chocolate curls, fresh raspberries and a snowy dusting of confectioners' sugar.
¨For the brownie lover, Black Forest Brownies are the ultimate holiday treat. Just add almond extract and dried cherries to fudge brownie mix and top with ready-to-spread frosting and almonds.
Herb-Nut Pilaf
Total preparation and cooking time: 35 minutes
1. Heat butter in medium saucepan over medium heat until melted. Cook onions and celery in melted butter until tender, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add rice and stir until coated with butter. Add broth and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to simmer; simmer 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
2. Remove bay leaves. Stir in nuts and parsley.
Makes 4 servings.
Cook's Tip: Recipe may be doubled.
Florentine Rice Casserole
Total preparation and cooking time: 45 minutes
1. Heat oven to 350ºF.
2. Prepare rice according to package directions including salt.
3. Meanwhile, heat butter in large skillet over medium heat until melted. Cook onions and celery in melted butter until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add mushrooms and continue cooking 5 minutes. Stir in creamed spinach and Alfredo sauce. Heat through. Add salt and pepper as desired. Stir in cooked rice.
4. Pour into 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, in 350ºF oven 20 minutes.
Makes 6 servings.
White Chocolate Raspberry Cake
Total preparation and cooking time: 1-1/4 hours
1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
2. Combine cake mix, egg whites, water and oil in large mixing bowl. Beat at low speed with electric mixer until moistened. Beat at medium speed 2 minutes.
3. Place 3 white chocolate squares in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high (100% power) 2 to 3 minutes or until chocolate melts, stirring after 1 minute. Stir warm, melted chocolate into cake batter. Pour into pans.
4. Bake 25 to 28 minutes in 350ºF oven or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool completely.
5. Meanwhile, melt 2 white chocolate squares; stir warm, melted chocolate into frosting. Place one cake layer on serving plate; spread raspberry jam over top of cake. Place second layer on top. Frost top and sides of cake with white chocolate frosting. Garnish with raspberries and white chocolate curls, if desired. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.
Makes one 9-inch layer cake.
Black Forest Brownies
Total preparation and cooking time: 45 minutes
1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan. Combine brownie mix, eggs, oil and water in large bowl; stir until well blended (about 50 strokes). Stir in cherries. Spread in prepared pan. Bake 23 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool thoroughly.
2. In small bowl, combine frosting and almond extract. Spread over cooled brownies. Garnish with almonds.
Makes 24 brownies.
Balsamic & Garlic-Pepper Beef Roast
Total preparation time: 10 minutes
1. Line roasting pan with aluminum foil. Brush surface of beef roast with balsamic vinegar. Press garlic-pepper blend evenly into beef roast.
2. Place roast, fat side up, on rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part, not resting in fat or touching bone. Roast as directed in chart. After cooking, season beef with salt, if desired.
Seasons one 4 to 8-pound roast.
For more information and recipes from:
¨Duncan Hines-visit their Web site at www.duncanhines.com
¨Mahatma Rice-call 1(800)226-9522 and visit their Web site at www.mahatmarice.com
¨Beef-write National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Confident
Cooking with Beef, 444 N. Michigan
Ave., Dept. FC, Chicago, IL 60611.
Return
to Frontpage