The Ho of Christmas Morning

By David Leite

on Dec 25, 2017, updated on Oct 29, 2022

88 Comments

The One in a red apron and red chef's hat and David Leite in a Santa apron in their kitchen

The One and I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, so we got up early to make a video. Why we didn’t think to do this last week, when we weren’t rushed, I’ll never know. But at least you can see the snowfall through the windows on this white Christmas.

And if you’re curious as to the recipes we’re making for our Christmas dinner, here they are:

Gougeres
Beef Wellington
Braised Carrots with Orange and Rosemary
Old-Fashioned Potato Gratin
Hershey Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting (The frosting is from Epicurious, and we have adapted a million ways from Sunday. So I can’t give you an exact recipe.)

A beef tenderloin covered in pate and chopped mushrooms and wrapped in puff pastry on a cutting board

Now, we’re very curious as to what you making today. So comment below and send any pictures here. We’ll post them with your comments.

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About David Leite

I count myself lucky to have received three James Beard Awards for my writing as well as for Leite’s Culinaria. My work has also appeared in The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Saveur, Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Food & Wine, Yankee, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and more.

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88 Comments

  1. Your dinner sounds lovely with many of my favourites! Ours was fairly standard with a juicy turkey that I had dry brined, classic bread stuffing, mashed potatoes and some beautiful golden beets. Dessert was the annual Grand Marnier and mandarin orange trifle (yum). Today I made some pastry for tonight’s tourtière which I will serve with homemade chili sauce (an old school tomato, peach and pepper relish I make ..as did my granny before me). All the best for 2018. Love all you do.

    Reply

    1. Karen, oh my! A tourtière! One of my very favorites. My friend, and LC tester, Suzanne Fortier has made one for me the past few Christmases. Delicious. I wish you and yours a very happy and prosperous 2018!

      Reply

  2. Loved the video! Sadly, we had to postpone our festivities as both my husband and I were down with the flu. What had been planned will happen in a couple of weeks with family. Menu items include French onion soup, beef tenderloin with port sauce (a well-worn favorite from Bon Appetit 2007), and broccoli all’uvetta which is made with garlic, raisins and pine nuts. BTW, was that ceramic santa on the counter a piggy bank? I have the exact same one! I’ve had it since I was 4 years old….52 years ago!

    Reply

    1. Karen4, so sorry to hear you and your husband are down for the count. It’s a pain to be sick during the holidays. Not sure about the Santa, but I will ask The One. Happy Holidays!

      Reply

    2. Karen4, have you had that incredible sounding dinner yet? And, yes, if I remember correctly, the Santa was purchased at a bank in Baltimore about 55 years ago, where I was a mere child of five. It always brings a smile to my face when I unpack it every year.

      Reply

  3. I made a standing rib roast and maple glazed, bacon wrapped, carrots. Just Mr. Hubster and I for the dinner…we are both on low carb diets…this fit the bill…later we splurged with chopped, mixed fruit from an ‘Edible Arrangements’ gift and some mixed canned fruits (packed in Juice). Be still our hearts! (Tastes like a million dollar dessert when you are dieting!)

    Reply