We have made this Roast Beef dinner many times over the years, and each time it brings back the timeless English tradition of Sunday Lunch.
The Roast Beef Tradition…
In Britain, roast beef with Yorkshire pudding is more than just a meal, it’s a ritual. Whether you were dining at a cozy pub, a grand country house hotel, Simpson’s on the Strand, or the Savoy, the centerpiece was always the same, a beautifully roasted joint of beef, crisp Yorkshire puddings, and all the trimmings. History tells us that by the late 1800’s, roast beef had become so iconic that the French nicknamed the English “les rosbifs,” and the Yorkshire pudding, originally baked beneath the roast to catch the savory drippings, was the perfect companion.
No wonder this pairing became a cherished part of English Christmas celebrations.
Our Pre- Christmas feast…
This year, for our “pre-Christmas” feast, we chose Prime Rib of Beef. I’m delighted we did, even though I’m determined to serve turkey on Christmas Day itself. Prime rib is irresistible, especially when it’s on sale, and my recipe, which I first discovered in a James Beard cookbook years ago, has never failed me. The instructions are now cast in stone, and the results are always superb. A more budget friendly cut to consider would be a sirloin tip roast which also appears on many Sunday Roast menus in the U.K. and is prepared the same way as the Prime Rib roast.
English Style Christmas Dinner…
We stayed true to the festive spirit by recreating an English-style Christmas dinner. The flavors, the memories, and the traditions all came together beautifully. Here’s the menu we enjoyed, an homage to the enduring English custom of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding at Christmastime.
Appetizer
Main
Sautéed Rainbow Chard with Pine Nuts and Dried Cranberries
New Potatoes, Tossed in Butter and Parsley
Dessert
Sticky Toffee Pudding with Toffee Sauce
This was the perfect meal for four of us with lots of delicious bites of roast beef left over for some for sandwiches the next day and Yorkshire Tidbits one night for dinner. Nothing went to waste, and how could it, it’s just too good!
