Last year we started having a low key Christmas.  With Charle’s birthday on Christmas Eve it just became to much to have his birthday and then a full blow “holiday dinner” on Christmas.  So now we get up, not to early, have some of Celeste’s awesome cinnamon rolls and then open presents.  After presents we have breakfast followed by an easy going morning.  A movie in the afternoon and then home for a simple dinner.  It’s made for two great Christmas Day’s in a row.

The Cinnamon Roll. They've been a holiday tradition for as long as I can remember.

Celeste's Honey Puff Pancake for breakfast

A little grilled flank steak.

Flank steak and baked potato for dinner

My son and my favorite... "Cherry Things"

And some Rocky Road!

© 2009 – 2010, The BBQ Grail. All rights reserved. On republishing this post you must provide link to original post.

Growing up in San Diego I looked forward to tamales at Christmas time.  There can’t be a better tamale in the world than one made with low and slow smoked pulled pork.  The following pictures and instructions are courtesy of Blues-N-Cues BBQ Concessions & Catering at http://blues-n-cuesbbq.com.

Start with a pork butt rubbed with fajita spice,garlic,onion,comino (cumin),& sage. Smoke the pork low & slow, preferrably with pecan or hickory wood.

Pull your pork after it's been smoked and cooled

Pulled pork and masa ready for tamale assembly. (See end of post of details on how to make masa)

Bring a pot of water & reserved pork juices to a boil. Add a little oil to the water to keep the husks from sticking together in the steamer and turn off heat and soak husks for an hour.

Spread the masa on soaked husks.

Add the pork

Roll up the sides and fold over one side.

When you've completed a batch of tamales place them in your steamer and steam for 1.5 hours

All done!

Unwrapped and ready to eat.

If you need help on how to make the masa dough for for your tamales you can get detailed instructions at about.com

© 2009 – 2010, The BBQ Grail. All rights reserved. On republishing this post you must provide link to original post.

The sun and I are up and that’s about it. One of the advantages of having grown children is they aren’t in quite the hurry to get up in the morning. It gives me a little time to sit back and reflect about how blessed I am.

I hope and pray that your Christmas is a special one.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours.

© 2007 – 2009, The BBQ Grail. All rights reserved. On republishing this post you must provide link to original post.