The 59-Minute Christmas Dinner

A gorgeous, delicious holiday feast for eight in under an hour. Impossible, you say? Take one minute to look at these fast and festive recipes, then let the countdown begin.

The 59-Minute Countdown:

An hour of prep spread out over the course of two hours leaves time to set the table and visit with guests.

1. Two hours before dinnertime, season the roast and let it stand at room temperature. Assemble the yule log.
2. While the roast is marinating, make the appetizer, prep the salad, and prep and cook the vegetables.
3. Right before guests arrive, brown the meat and put it in the oven.
4. Sit down and enjoy your guests, a glass of bubbly, and the appetizer.
5. Take the meat out of the oven. While the meat is resting, put the vegetables in the oven to rewarm, then make the sauce for the roast.

Menu for 8:

-Crab and Celery Remoulade
-Treviso, Walnut, and Gruyère Salad
-New York Strip Roast with Madeira Pan Sauce
-Roasted Carrot, Parsnip, and Potato Coins
-Super-Quick Mocha Yule Log
-Meringue Mushrooms