Christmas with Elisa and Fam

I have to say ...even I was impressed with myself today...I strived to design an amazing menu and did just that

I also successfully cooked my first standing beef rib roast...came out great!

We hosted my business partner Elisa and her family and had a great time!

This is the beginning of another wonderful new Christmas tradition!

First we started with individual Smoked Seafood Cocktails

and then dinner consisted of the roast along with a ciabatta stuffing with chestnuts and pancetta, garlic mashed potatoes, green beens with shallots, salad and ciabatta

For dessert, I made Mel's Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream Cake...delish!

After we devoured our meals...we exchanged gifts!  Diana was so excited to get a sequin skirt and PINK...boy does Elisa know her!

Wirlwhind weekend...hope you all got into the holiday spirit...we sure did!