That fun pasta-making lesson in Rome gave Mike and I a taste for trying our hands at it while home in Georgia and we had lots of willing learn-ees! We sifted, mixed, kneaded, folded/pressed, folded/pressed, folded/pressed, cut, hung, cooked and munched a yummy noodle dinner. After the arm workout with the dough, we had developed quite an appetite -- all while moving to the lively tunes of Italian music and singing along, of course!
Breaking out the dough boards, rollers, Italian tomatoes, homemade crust and fixings, we each fashioned our own favorite pizzas covered with cheese, ham, pepperoni, olives, pineapple and such. Yeah, that's amore! ;)
Cookin' and Cookies! Traditions
Cookin' and traditional cookie-making took center stage for us as we whipped up lots of treasured family recipes (thanks for starting many of them all those years ago, Mom -- a.k.a. G'ma Sherrie and She-she) and baked like crazy. Some favorites for Santa (ok, and us ;) ) included ham confetti, fruit compotes, fondue, and scrumptious meat dishes.
Oh, and the cookies!!! Tyler and I led the bakers as we all whipped up cookies like ginger, raspberry thumbprint, peanut blossom kisses, frosted sugar and of course, springerle squares. JaNean made her delicious cinnamon rolls, Dad (Dave) created his yummy cornbread stuffing, Ashley made the terrific fudge Chris grew up enjoying, Justin blended his luscious smoothies and rockin' fajitas, Elise broke out the tasty breakfast casserole recipe she noshed all growing up and Anna went gourmet with a delightful dinner. Of course, Mike led as head chef with taste treats aplenty! Jax got in on the action in the actual kitchen and his play kitchen, as well!
So, everybody took turns creating the menus and then we all dove in to help as sous chefs and eaters. . . . Now, where are those house elves for clean up?!?
Dad (a.k.a. Dave, Grandpa and Great Grandpa) broke out the old family springerle cookie recipe from his Dutch roots. Masterfully mixing, forming, rolling and cutting the dough, he gave us a class in recreating this special tradition from his childhood. These decorative, square cookies rolled with a carved wooden rolling pin, have a crunch to the outside, softer inside and hint of anise flavor. Sooo good! He gave a nod to my Grandma Watson by wearing her favorite apron, too. Sweet family memories!
Oh, and the cookies!!! Tyler and I led the bakers as we all whipped up cookies like ginger, raspberry thumbprint, peanut blossom kisses, frosted sugar and of course, springerle squares. JaNean made her delicious cinnamon rolls, Dad (Dave) created his yummy cornbread stuffing, Ashley made the terrific fudge Chris grew up enjoying, Justin blended his luscious smoothies and rockin' fajitas, Elise broke out the tasty breakfast casserole recipe she noshed all growing up and Anna went gourmet with a delightful dinner. Of course, Mike led as head chef with taste treats aplenty! Jax got in on the action in the actual kitchen and his play kitchen, as well!
So, everybody took turns creating the menus and then we all dove in to help as sous chefs and eaters. . . . Now, where are those house elves for clean up?!?
Dad (a.k.a. Dave, Grandpa and Great Grandpa) broke out the old family springerle cookie recipe from his Dutch roots. Masterfully mixing, forming, rolling and cutting the dough, he gave us a class in recreating this special tradition from his childhood. These decorative, square cookies rolled with a carved wooden rolling pin, have a crunch to the outside, softer inside and hint of anise flavor. Sooo good! He gave a nod to my Grandma Watson by wearing her favorite apron, too. Sweet family memories!
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