At this time of the year we start thinking about all the festivities that we will be participating in. We start searching for really simple recipe ideas that we can use when entertaining but won’t keep us in the kitchen the whole night. This Roast Strip Loin recipe is fast due to the tender nature of the loin (the same muscle that New York Sirloin steaks are cut from) there is no need to marinate. I have prepared a wet rub to season the roast. The pan vegetables may also be served as a side and we will make a pan jus out of the drippings.

There is a great tradition amongst Jana’s family here in Nova Scotia that I absolutely love: it is the gift of great seafood. It isn’t uncommon for us to receive a whole side of the finest cold smoked salmon or a box of oysters, what a treat! This year Frank sent us 50 of PEI’s finest Raspberry Point oysters, it was one of my favourite Christmas gifts this year!

At last it is Christmas Eve, Jack, Ella and Caitrin have had the countdown down going for the last 16 days, and we are all pretty excited! While the kids anticipate and enjoy the arrival of the “big guy”, I really enjoy all the socializing, parties and other people’s cooking!

Christmas dinner is not your usual turkey feast in our house. My wife is not a big turkey fan and has had her quota by Thanksgiving. The girls eat very little meat and turkey is not usually one of them, so it’s crusted salmon for them and prime rib for my wife and I.

I do miss the turkey though, not the big feast but the great meals to be made with the leftovers. So this year I am going to brine and roast a turkey breast for sandwiches and pot pie.

At this time of year, we often look for something entertaining and fun to make for the holidays. If you want to use your creativity, why not pick up a Compliments Gingerbread House Kit. They are a lot of fun to build and even more fun to decorate. I had the pleasure of going to the Sobeys Holiday Luncheon where there was a friendly competition to create a house with the decorating items provided.