What are you preparing today for the Holidays ahead?

14 years ago

The Thanksgiving post about 'What are you doing today for Thanksgiving' was so much fun to read. Plus it gave me a lot of good ideas and recipes to use for future years.

So here is what I am doing today.

Making Dutch Letters. Of course mine are just made into logs not a letter like the bakeries in town do. Of course the letters from the bakeries are dry and dont have much filling inside. It is unreal how many they sell, even though they are not even close to homemade letters.

I am attaching a link to Recipe Zaar that has a recipe much same that I use, only I use plain flour not Wondra.

These freeze very well unbaked. Also I make the filling and the dough, chill a day ahead before assembling.

These letters seem complicated, they are not just time consuming. It's a Dutch tradition!

Here is a link that might be useful: Dutch Letters

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Comments (16)

annie1992
14 years ago
Today? I'm at work, LOL, but I'll put some more cookie dough in the freezer tonight while my bread machine is at work making the weekend's bread.

Heck, if I get time, I might start on fudge, it doesn't get stale like cookies do.

Then again, I'm planning on making fried chicken for supper and elery will be here this afternoon, so I might not get a darned thing done!

Annie
JoanM
14 years ago
I am going to try making my cookie dough today and freezing it as little balls ready to bake. I have never done this before but it must work if everyone here does it. I think it would be nice to pull out cookies and bake them off on the 23rd.
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trudy_gw
Original Author
14 years ago
Annie...I am hoping you dont get a darn thing done.

Spend some precious time with Elery...life is to short. Cuddle up by the fire :)
craftyrn
14 years ago
MIxing up a couple doughs for next week's baking ( Nancy's recipe cut outs;cranberry pistachio icebox cookies;and a new to me this year:
Diane's Home Cookin Chapter: Christmas Cookies to try

Apricot Orange Almond Slices
============================
1 7-ounce package dried apricots
Zest from 1 medium orange, finely grated
1 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
. Line a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with aluminum foil completely, folding the
foil over the top edges of the pan.

Place the dried apricots in a food processor and pulse until finely
chopped. Add the orange zest and juice. Transfer to a small bowl and
set aside. Place the toasted almonds in processor bowl and pulse until
finely chopped. Add the almonds to the apricot-orange mixture and mix
well.

Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the sugar and
continue to beat until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla, and beat until
well blended.

In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually
add to the butter mixture, beating at a low speed until blended.

Add the apricot-almond mixture to the dough and knead until thoroughly
blended. Press the dough mixture into the loaf pan, smoothing the top.
Cover and chill for at least 3 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350Â°F. Invert the loaf pan on a cutting board and
remove the foil. Cut the dough lengthwise into four strips, then slice
each strip crosswise into 1/4-inch slices.

Place the slices about 1-1/2 inches apart on parchment lined baking
sheets. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies appear set and
turn a light golden brown. Cool for about 3 minutes on the cookie
sheets, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Yield: About 6 dozen

--getting the sugar plums finished , hopefully will get to the fudge & caramels today too.

Oh-- and washing the bar "glassware" & Irish Coffee Cups and finishing the Christmas cards addressing --does that count ?
dgkritch
14 years ago
I made truffle fillings a couple of days ago and I'll start the coatings tonight.
I'm drying citrus slices to use on the tree and on packages.
I need to make some twig stars, crochet a handful of snowflakes and wrap some styrofoam balls in calico.

Can you tell I'm going "rustic" this year? LOL
Will post pics when I finally get something finished! Lots in the "halfway" stage.

I have Gingerbread Biscotti, Molasses cookies and Cinnamon Roll cookies already baked and frozen.

Anyone have a great Cheeseball recipe that will go well with ham sandwiches and salads for a "Day After" get-together? Big Bonus if I could make it now and freeze it!!

Deanna
michaelmaxp
14 years ago
I'm deciding what to pack...
We'll be doing the hula for Christmas

michaelp
cookingrvc
14 years ago
Tomorrow is my annual holiday Dinner with some of my oldest and dearest friends. There will be 11 of us plus a helper who will make everything go smoothly.

Today I am doing the hot artichoke/bacon/spinach dip, veggie prep for crudite, spinach gratin, twice-baked potatoes, and brandied mushrooms.

Heres the menu:
Appetizers:

Sharon's spanikopita
Hot artichoke, bacon, and spinach dip
Shrimp cocktail
Pigs-n-blanket (freshly prepared and a must have)
Crudite with lite dip
antipasto salad
Chopped chicken liver
TJ's birdsnests

For the main course:

Filet of beef with Port wine sauce
Lite Spinach gratin
Twice-baked potatoes (DH asked for them)
Roasted asparagus
Brandied mushrooms
Hot flaky pastry rolls

My firends are bringing desserts.

It will be a festive evening that starts with cosmos and eggnog martinis.

Sue
cookie8
14 years ago
Gingerbread cookie trees which I will decorate and personalize for each family/friend I am shipping presents to. Also will include hot chocolate mixed with mini chips and marshmallows or crushed candy cane and white chocolate. I do have some tonic water I am chilling as I am going to play around with my pomegranate vodka tonight.
althetrainer
14 years ago
Right now I am making sugar spiced almonds for a party tomorrow. When little man comes home from school we will make Santa biscuits together.
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
14 years ago
We're leaving for the beach Sunday so today I am packing!
trudy_gw
Original Author
14 years ago
cookie8...let us know how the drinks turn out.

Have not had pomegranate vodka...sounds very ~interesting~

Sue do you make your 'pigs' with a pastry dough crust with sausage and bread crumbs mixed and rolled up?

Was asked to day to bring Saucijzebroodjes (Pigs in the Blanket) to our daughters in St. Louis for the day before Christmas Eve.
caliloo
14 years ago
I have Candy Cane Crinkle dough in the fridge ready to bake, and Sugar Cookie dough in the mixer ready to go into the fridge. Tomorrow is the last regular season swim meet (before invitationals and championships) so I will be baking again tomorrow night. On the list of definites are; Chocolate raspberry sticks, Snickerdoodles and Linzer cookies. I am still open to cookie suggestions so I will be looking for more inspiration here....

Alexa
cookingrvc
14 years ago
Trudy,

The Pigs are Hebrew National mini hot dogs that I wrap in Pillsbury crescent dough from the tube. I don't use a whole triangle of dough, I actually cut it in strips to wrap the dogs.

They're served with Grey Poupon Dijon mustard.

Sue
althetrainer
14 years ago
Today I am making an attempt to do cream puff swans for a Christmas party. Keeping my fingers crossed.
beachlily z9a
14 years ago
Ina's Lemon loaf using Myer Lemons from the backyard. Smells heavenly. If they work out, I'll make a second batch then onto the Chocolate Flourless Torte. I think I can make that one in my sleep!
bonjo
14 years ago
Today we finished making cheese raviolis and meat raviolis, that we freeze on cookie sheets then bag up. We always have them for Christmas Eve. This year we got carried away and made 600 of them. Ha Ha

What are you preparing today for the Holidays ahead?

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annie1992

JoanM

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