Big fluffy pancakes always are a BIG hit in my household… especially when they are light and delicious.  The special ingredient for these pancakes is the delicious eggnog mixed inside.  Even for those who are not a fan of eggnog these pancakes are sure to change your mind.  It’s a great way to start your Christmas morning… because I made these the day before Christmas my family will be waking up to homemade cinnamon rolls Christmas morning… recipe to follow I promise!

Hope you enjoy! Happy Christmas Eve…

Eggnog Pancakes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter, unsalted

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 heaping teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Pinch salt

1 1/3 cups Eggnog

2 eggs, large

Butter, for frying pancakes

Directions

Melt the butter and set aside to cool slightly.

In a large bowl, measure out the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Stir to combine.

In another cup, measure the Eggnog, beat in the eggs and then the slightly cooled butter.

Add the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, whisking as you do so.

Now, heat either a griddle or nonstick frying pan, smear with a small bit of butter and then start frying. I use a 1/4-cup measure if for each pancake. When you see bubbles forming on the surface, flip the pancakes over and cook for a couple of minutes.

Stack pancakes onto plate, pour maple syrup all over and enjoy!

If anyone knows me you know that I am NOT a big red meat eater.  Actually I stopped eating red meat or should I say steak years ago due to dancing.  I don’t know why but every time I would eat steak I would just feel very heavy and uncomfortable.  So I decided to just stop eating it.

Funny though because my husband loves a good piece of steak and so do my siblings and parents, well they used to before they got on this whole health kick diet and decided to not eat any meat or poultry for three months… but that is a COMPLETELY different story for a COMPLETELY different time.

Back to my rib-eyes…

Yep, these puppies were no joke, I decided to make these rib-eyes for Christmas Eve dinner at my house.  For some reason every time my mother, or husband would ask me “So what’s the menu this year for Christmas dinner?” my mind kept falling on rib-eyes. At the same time I started to have this insatiable craving for some red meat.  I know kinda crazy since I can literally tell you I haven’t had a piece of red meat in about 10 years, give or take.

That’s when I knew this was the time I was going to break my “No Eating Red Meat” call… and I was going to make my dad fall off the wagon as well… just saying.

and guess what….

He did! The minute my father walked into my kitchen he looked right at me and said I guess this is the night I cheat and eat a little red meat… I just laughed.  (See how well I know my daddy)

Here it is boys, start smaking your lips because this is a treat you won’t wanna miss! Trust me the bone is the best part.

Enjoy.

Rib-Eye Steak marinated with fennel and rosemary

1 cup of extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup fresh rosemary, chopped

4 teaspoon fennel seed, ground

1 2-bone standing beef rib-roast (about 5 lbs)

salt and black pepper

Prepare Marinade: Combine the oil, rosemary, fennel seed, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper in a small bowl. Set about 6 tablespoons of marinade aside.

Marinate Steaks: Place the steaks in a shallow baking pan or dish.  Pour the remaining marinade on top of the steaks. Cover and marinate at room temperature for about 2 hours, turning every 30 minutes.  (I actually marinated mine a few more hours longer but 2 is good)

Set Oven: Heat the oven to 300° F.  Remove the steaks from the marinade, scrape off the herbs, and pat dry with paper towels. Season each side of the steak with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and black pepper.  You can either use to ovenproof skillets, like a cast iron skillet, or just a regular skillet like I did.  Turn your exhaust fan on high.  Cook the steaks searing one side for about 5 minutes. You want a nice brown crust to form on that side.  Then flip the steak and repeat the process for the other side.  When you are done transfer the steaks to a baking sheet for roasting.

Roast the Steaks: Place the baking sheet in the oven for roasting time.  I slow cooked the meat for about 30 minutes at 300°F and then kicked up to 425°F for the last 20 minutes or so.  You want to make sure that the thick part of the steak registers at 115°F to 120° for rare, or 125°F to 130°F for medium rare.  Once the steaks are finished cooking place them on a large cutting board where you allow them to sit and rest for about 10-15 minutes.  You want the steaks to come together again and keep all their juices.  Carve the meat from the bone and then cut the meat across the grain.  One plated brush the sliced meat with the reserved marinade and serve.

Christmas has come… and Christmas has gone…. already!

Can you believe that…

That the year 2009 is practically over in just a few short days.  (Sigh)  Wow!  That’s pretty amazing if you ask me.  No more purchasing of the gifts, wrapping of the gifts, and last but not least opening of the gifts.  I am not sure sure how you celebrate Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day in your house but in mine we usually have a huge dinner the night before Christmas and then Christmas morning we go to brunch as a family later on in the day.

This year we did something a little different.  This year I cooked Christmas Eve dinner for my family and Christmas Eve breakfast, and let me tell you all being in the kitchen from 10am to 5pm, in one day is no joke.  Seriously… it was quite a day, but the result was simply AMAZING!

The menu consisted of, wait hold on….

First you have to promise me that you will not attempt to claw at your screen the minute you see the upcoming photos I am about to display for you… it wouldn’t be fair to your poor screen, hehehe.

Here are a few things I made that night:

Rib-Eye Steaks marinated with fennel and rosemary.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese.

Twice-Baked Potatoes.

Mediterranean Salmon Pasta Bowl.

Are you drooling yet?  (Click recipe name below for all individual recipes… Enjoy!)

What did you eat on Christmas Eve? Would love to hear below…