Thursday, January 01, 2009

~Happy New Year!~

A very happy New Year to you!

Last night we went to our church for fellowship, food, and games. I took a cherry pie, which was so pretty, I wish I had taken a picture of it, but I didn't! And egg salad sandwiches. There was a lot of food. In years past, people have brought a lot of sweets, but this year there was more substantial food, which is so much nicer for snacking than plate after plate of cookies and cakes and candies!

Today has been a lazy kind of holiday day. I tried my hand at New Year's Cookies. What are they? Yeasted dough filled with raisins, that are deep fried until golden brown and then rolled in sugar. My grandma makes them every year on New Year's - it is the only day she makes them. My dad's side of the family is German, and I am pretty sure this is a German tradition. We have never been with my family for New Year's, and so this year I determined to make some for myself. Well. I need more practice in the deep-frying department! Thankfully, I only made half a batch, so I didn't waste too many ingredients. The dough turned out perfectly. But I have never been a deep-fryer so I heated the oil too hot and the outsides cooked too quickly, leaving the insides gooey dough! Live and learn! Next year I'll know to cook them more slowly! I was able to salvage them, by refrying them. Needless to say, I won't be putting in for a job at the local donut shop! ;-)

We're going to take down the tree tonight, and then I'm going to get out my snowmen. I have a little collection of snowmen, and it is fun to bring them out after Christmas is over, to enjoy for a month or two during the winter.

May God bless you richly in this coming New Year! Thank you for continuing to come by my blog, and read and comment!

7 comments:

Sandi said...

I never had much luck frying food until I got a Baby Fryer. It keeps the oil at the perfect temp. And remember if you fry on to low of temp it just soaks up the oil. To hot and only cooks the outside. Good Luck next year!

Charity said...

I don't deep fry much either, but last fall I made some funnel cakes. So easy and yummy! :)

I have a snowman collection for winter as well. I am looking forward to enjoying them this winter.

Joyce's Ramblings said...

My 3 foot snowman leaning up against a lamppost is the only decoration I didn't put away after Christmas. I see I am not the only one that has snowman to brighten up the house when it is cold and grey outside.

HopiQ said...

Happy New Year! Still reading and enjoying every post. :)

jen said...

Happy new year!
Thank you for continuing to blog -
2009 will be an exciting year for you!
We had our little guy in 2007 after 19 years together!

I have the same problem with dep frying-I think god may be saying to me I'm not supposed to eat fried foods-LOL!

all the Best-

Jennifer

Heather said...

Happy New Year, Tammy!

Anonymous said...

HI Tammy,

I'm a bit of a lurker here. I live in NZ and my parents were Dutch.

Dutch people also do Olliebollen on New Year's Eve. Deepfried dough with raisins, then rolled in icing sugar (we call it icing sugar here in NZ!). Very yummy!

Try to get the oil to a temperature so that when you pop in a bit of the dough (or try it on a wee piece of leftover bread) stays on the surface and doesn't sink to the bottom first (then the oil temperature is too low).
Bit of hit and miss without a deep fryer, but I seem to do ok. Cut the first few through a few minutes after cooking to check that they are cooked through.

All the best for your coming wee one too! Congratulations on that news.

Cheers, Wilm in NZ