What I Cooked for Christmas Eve

So it's the one day I actually pull out all the brakes and cook like a mad woman.

It's obviously the season for it anyway, yea?

S helped me fill up the deviled eggs.

As per request of my sister, deviled eggs. It looks messy, but can you blame a 12 year old for putting her best foot forward? I reckon NOT.

DEVILED EGGS: EGG YOLKS+GOOD QUALITY MAYO+MUSTARD+ANCHOVIES+S&P

And since we all love salads, there was one and a side of garlic shrimp to put on top.

SALAD: LETTUCE+MANGO+THINLY SLICED PEARS+ READY MADE SESAME DRESSING

GARLIC SHRIMP: OLIVE OIL+ LOTSA GARLIC+SHRIMP+ BRANDY (flambe!)

Paprika and Extra Olive Oil on Top

So anyway, I guess it's always nice to have something to dip? Hummus, my definite fave and a hands-down crowd pleaser.

HUMMUS: CHIKPEAS+ TAHINI+ OLIVE OIL+ GARLIC+ S&P

Piled up juicy steaks.

S mashed the potatoes

Everyone loves a juicy steak. Tenderloin steaks with garlic butter and mash potato. What a winner.

STEAK: MARINADE IN STEAK PEPPER & WOODY HERBS.
               COOKING: CONSTANTLY BRUSH WITH GARLIC BUTTER.

**Around 5-6 minutes on each side for medium rare.

GARLIC BUTTER: BUTTER+ GARLIC+ GARLIC POWDER

MASH: POTATOES+ MILK+ BUTTTER+ S&P

Best Squid Ever, a REVELATION.

Just so there's a variety when it comes to the mains, I cooked up some Cripsy Fried Squid.

CRISPY FRIED SQUID: FLOUR+ CORNSTARCH+ FIVE SPICE+ EGG

**Dip in egg before coating with the dry mixture
**Equal amounts of flour and cornstarch
**Score the inside of the squid in a criss-cross pattern to ensure it curls up.
**2 minutes for cooking time ensures tenderness.

As for dessert, I made a panna cotta, and it had some mangoes on top. It wasn't that fabulous that's why I'm leaving it out.

I know, the pictures are a little bit of a disgrace but then I was so busy to style the dishes and take epic pictures since everybody just dug in.

** Obviously there aren't any measurements, it's for you to adjust to your own taste!;)

So dear readers, what did you have for Christmas Eve?

Squid