Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Time Well Spent

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We had a wonderful holiday break. It seemed to pass too quickly though. If it were up to me every day would be Christmas break - I really do like having those little rascals home and it never seems like we have enough time to do everything we want to do. We did get a chance to spend some time in the kitchen.

Sam got a chance to redeem himself in the turkey department (more on that later):

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We held our annual New Year's fry. While some people take New Year's Day as an opportunity to embark on their post-holiday diets, we are busy deep frying things. This year, Sam's parents joined us on our journey back to my Dutch roots and helped in the making of Oliebollen. Translation, oil balls. This description is rather unfair because they really are no worse than a doughnut and because they have currants and apple inside they are practically healthy. Like the logic?

Olibollen

Oliebollen

1tbs lemon juice

1 small apple, small diced

4 ½ cups flour

½ cup currants

2 cups warm milk

I small packet of yeast (1/4 ounce)

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 quart of oil for frying

Powdered sugar for dusting

Add yeast, sugar and milk together; stir until smooth. Allow to sit 5 minutes. Add apple to lemon juice & set aside. Mix flour and salt in bowl. Make a hole in the center of flour mixture and slowly add milk (I did it in the bowl of the KitchenAid). Mix until smooth. Add currants and apple pieces in the lemon juice. Cover the bowl with a clean dishtowel and allow to rise about 1 hour in a warm place.
Heat oil to 356ºF or 180ºC. Using a spoon, carefully drop 2” balls of dough into the oil allowing them to brown (about 8 minutes – rotating them occasionally). Allow to drain on paper towels. Arrange on plate and generously sift powdered sugar over the tops.

And, last but not least, the freakishly large turkey legs that were not to be forgotten:

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Definitely time well spent.

6 comments:

sara said...

Cute family pic!

Kat said...

I'm glad to hear you had such a nice holiday break. I always have a hard time getting the boys back into a school time schedule and just wish they could stay home too. ;)

I love that family pic!

Leeann said...

So great to hear from you and see your photos as always! Your baby is growing so fast! He is just as precious as your other three!

Blog a Blurb said...

So nice to be reminded of the good times there. Although, Owen did give Monty a terrific, definitely unintended, present. . . You warned him about that left over burrito!!!

Julie said...

Adorable pictures!!!

Okay - so I probably posted the best and funniest post I have ever done on my blog...my riding lesson photographed! ..and don't laugh so loud that I might hear you!

Have a great week!

MKHKKH said...

Isn't break great? I too wish we had more snow days. Love the turkey legs! You guys look great!