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Like Gordon Ramsey...Minus the Cursing

I can't lie to you guys...one of the things I was most excited about this Christmas was trying out a new recipe. I like to pretend I'm a world renowned chef, but lets be honest I'm more like a Waffle House sous chef (no offense to any actual Waffle House sous chefs). But man I like to think I'm badass in the kitchen.

So I watched a cooking show with Gordon Ramsey and decided that I am totally reality show worthy (HA! HA! HA!) and could make Beef Wellington. Ever had it before? I've only had it once, and never made it so it was definitely new. It's basically a high quality beef fillet, covered in a paste made with onions and mushrooms, then wrapped in prosciutto, and THEN wrapped in puff pastry. YES. Just yes. If you want to make it, this recipe was really helpful.



I also set some kind of record for including butter in every single dish. I'm pretty proud of that. On the menu next to the Beef Wellington: cooked carrots (in butter and brown sugar) green been almandine (with almonds toasted in butter and lemon juice) and roasted potatoes, pearl onions and garlic (roasted in, um...butter). 


There may have been a tipple or two in the mix for the last couple of days as well. A little wine, and a little Baileys....



Some gifts were had, and we opened presents from each other on Christmas eve. Mostly because I couldn't wait any more. Stockings were kept until morning though. Traditions! I couldn't have asked for a better day, honestly. 

The cats loved their presents too...

And hubby loved his stocking filled with chocolate!
So...what did you guys eat for Christmas? Turkey, ham, pasta? Any special dishes that go on your table each year?
There are no real dishes that I eat each year. Usually we have a turkey or a goose, but I wanted to try something a little different since it feels like we just had Thanksgiving! And of course...raspberry crumble for dessert. Yum. 

Best present this year? Either given or received?
Best receive = a really sweet card and framed photo of my marathon finish from hubs. Best given = a disaster. I bought hubby a new video game but it was the wrong region for his Xbox. Whoops!
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Comments

  1. Colorado GalDecember 26, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    Um, as far as I am concerned, you are Gordon Ramsey! I totally am making your gnocchi that you posted the other day :)

    Best gift I received this year: a juicer. I'm in love! Best given: some new surfing gear for my sis. I know nothing about surfing stuff but it was fun to shop for!

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  2. ElleDecember 26, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Beef Wellington! Very nice and very ambitious too. Good for you, Vanessa.

    Glad you had such a nice Christmas with Tim and the kits!

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  3. LisaDecember 26, 2011 at 5:37 PM

    My husband had Beef Wellington at a swanky local restaurant on our "date" a few weeks ago - it was the first time I had ever seen it up close. I'm impressed you made such a dish for the holiday - Gordon Ramsey though? You don't really aspire to him do you? You're sooooo much cooler than that!!!! I see your Christmas crackers - thought of you on Friday . . . I was at Pier 1 and saw them. Your cats look super festive!!!!

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  4. FalonDecember 26, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    Yummo. I wish the hubbs ate beef because that looks tasty. I made chicken pot pie and ate some peppermint stick ice cream. mmm. Best gift? My christmas card was pretty damn epic. Cheesy, no? My new ray bans weren't too shabby either.

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  5. Running RicigDecember 26, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    Mike's family does a traditional Italian dinner for Christmas, so we had stuffed shells (and they had some sort of meat concoction too).

    The best gift I got this year was an awesome pair of Hunter boots from Mike. I can't think of a worst gift...

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  6. AnonymousDecember 26, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    Nice job on the beef Wellington! The name alone would make me think it's too complicated! We always have steak for Christmas eve dinner

    My favorite gift I got was my kitchen aid mixer and my fav to give was these journals that have a bible verse on every page with the persons name instead of you...makes the verses so personal

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  7. AlyssaDecember 26, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    Fancy! I'm truly impressed with your culinary skills! I ate so much for Christmas that typing it all into your comment box would take hours....

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  8. Cait the Arty RunnerchickDecember 26, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    oh my gosh, that candid of u is gorgeous!! go glad that u and the hubs had a wonderful xmas...even if u got the wrong style game (totally something i would do!) at least the thought was there...lol! :P

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  9. Steve MillerDecember 26, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    great post Vanessa!

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  10. Britt @ Chicago Runner GirlDecember 26, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    Love playing top chef in my kitchen. Still haven't had the desire to clean up from the latest experiment. I got some pretty nifty gloves this year made by saucony that are mittens that convert into gloves and come with a led light. Best gift given would have to be the yard of bubble gum balls we gave to our niece and nephews. I've neve seen such excitement when opening a present.

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  11. Kyria @ Travel SpotDecember 26, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    That beef wellington looks great! I am sure that no matter how much cursing you DID do, it was still less than Ramsey. He is a beast.

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  12. misszippyDecember 26, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    I am very impressed with the Beef Wellington...I say you give Gordon Ramsey a good run for the money!

    I got a Vitamix. Can you say heaven?!

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  13. MotherRunnerDecember 26, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    Mmm looks delightful. We do Christmas brunch and I always make spinach/ham/bacon quiche and we drink mimosas til we run out of OJ. :)

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  14. AnonymousDecember 26, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Wow beef wellington, nice! That looks really hard to mark, very impressive!

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  15. MeganDecember 26, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    I ate so much food. Ham, turkey, cheese dip, sausages, meatballs, shrimp dip, peas, bread, applie pie WITH ice cream. Yeah. I made my mother in law take a picture of me posing like I was pregnant, and the sad part was that I actually looked like I could have been 5 months along.

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  16. AllThingsYummyDecember 26, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    Yum, I love Ramsey's beef wellington and yours looks delicious.
    We had ham for Christmas. A family favorite.

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  17. Paulie BDecember 26, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Your beef wellington looks delicious. It is something I have always wanted to make but never have. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. Ryan KnappDecember 26, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    Looks awesome. I'll have to try out that recipe sometime soon. I think deep down inside we all feel we are top class chefs!

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  19. NicoleDecember 26, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    Will have to try the beef wellington, makes me think of Hell's Kitchen which I really adore!! Glad you had a great Christmas, just you hubs and the kitties. My hubs was pretty pleased with his chocolate too!

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  20. Pam @ herbieontherun.comDecember 26, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Our Christmas meal tradition is CHILI! Because everyone goes to multiple places for Christmas, when we all go to my parents' we have chili. Everyone is so sick of all the typical holiday fare that mom decided to try something different a few years ago and it went over so well we've stuck with it!

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  21. Suz and AllanDecember 27, 2011 at 1:17 AM

    I'm pretty sure I would never even think of attempting to make this! It all looks amazing as usual. Sounds like you two had a great Christmas together.

    In recent years ham has been tradition at my parent's and the array of sides and desserts is normally the same.

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  22. christaDecember 27, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Looks awesome!! We have brunch at my moms on Christmas day and lasagna at my aunts and uncles on Christmas Eve.

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  23. UnknownDecember 27, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    I never have to cook on the holidays! We go to family and I am never asked to bring anything....hmmm might be a sign of my cooking
    skills!

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  24. AmyleeDecember 27, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    Stuffed mushrooms, bacon wrapped water chestnuts, and jalapeno artichoke dip are my favorites at Christmastime.

    I surprised a friend that does so much for me with a new Kindle this year! It was THE BEST. Besides my kids, that was my favorite part about Christmas this year.

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  25. Neon Blonde RunnerDecember 27, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
    You are looking beautiful and sassy in your wine glass photo!

    Even though I'm not a huge beef eater, your little creation looks great. THAT, my friend, is talent.

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  26. KaraDecember 27, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    If I ever come over, you must make that for me. Also, I think you're a step up from a Waffle House "chef". Sober people eat your food, right? :)

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  27. AnonymousDecember 27, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    I made beef wellington for the first time last Christmas and it is easier than you would think and so tasty. Plus you sound so skilled when you tell others that you made it!

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  28. Tiff @ Love Sweat and BeersDecember 27, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    I made a beef tenderloin roast for Christmas dinner. It was really good. I've never had beef wellington, but I think I'd like it.

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  29. UnknownDecember 27, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    Mmm, beef wellington! The best gift that I got was an ornament commemmorating the disasterous Hot Chocolate 15k. It made me laugh and was super cute!

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  30. BabyWiltDecember 27, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    I am totally impressed with your beef wellington you made, gourmet goddess :-), I've never dared try it thanks to its complexity.
    Christmas lunch was pork shoulder in the Weber & slow roasted lamb and onions in the oven (we served with salads as no room in the oven for veggies!!!)

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  31. Rose @ Eat, Drink, and Be MeiriDecember 27, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    We have zero traditions when it comes to Christmas dinner, but Christmas breakfast is super important. My mom makes these apricot rolls that everyone talks about all year round, plus a mountain of sausage.

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  32. Stefanie D.December 28, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    Love the picture of the cats, they look a little skepitcal! Hahaha. On Christmas Eve, we always open our PJ's. That's about it at our house. :)

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  33. Lisa@RunWikiJanuary 3, 2012 at 10:51 AM

    I'm so glad I found your blog...having fun reading it and look forward to future posts. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete

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