Spotlight Saturday

Happy Saturday Everyone! I apologize for my lack of visiting yesterday. By 8:30 am yesterday I was at my Aunt Rosemary's (my dad's sister) to make the Christmas Tudides (Honey Cakes.) This is a Calabrese dessert that is as far from healthy as a recipe can get. And while it's not a hard recipe, it is time consuming. I got home a little after 3 pm! Of course, my dad, his brother and another sister came up to sample them. So it didn't take 6 hours to make them, but... And then with dinner and catching up with my husband (a lot to cover when you don't talk for 2 days,) by the time I could get on the computer...I fell asleep. Sad! Here's the recipe if anyone wants to try.

5 lb. flour 1/2 cake lg. yeast
2 c. sugar 1/8 cup salt
6 eggs Approx. 2 lbs lard-melted
Hot water

Dissolve the yeast in water. Mix together dry ingredients. Add yeast and eggs. Then add 1 measure cup lard and 1 measure water. Continue until right consistency (I can't explain that any better. But if you've ever made a dough, you'll know when it feels right) but it's not sticky and has a sheen from the lard. Knead. Roll log and cut into small pieces. Roll over ridged board (but you can use a fork if you don't have my Nunnie's board, ha!) When all are cut you can start frying first rolled pieces in oil. Fry until brown (and you want a pretty dark color, not burnt because a light brown color, while looks pretty, means the inside is not cooked.)

Put large jar of honey into pot with a little water (literally maybe an 1/8 cup.) Bring to a boil. Place cakes in honey and turn to coat. Wait until honey comes to a boil again. Take out, drain on waxed paper. Repeat if you like more honey, but not necessary.

My father loves these!! And it's because of him that I will take over the tradition of making the TOUR-DEDES, as we like to call them. Honey is sticky and I HATE being sticky. It's the reason I don't eat pancakes and waffles. But because I love my father, I will endure the stickiness for the sake of tradition. Plus, I know he loves me for it!

Now, on to Spotlight Saturday. I found Diane through a comment she left on one of my posts. How I missed her all these months is beyond me. I love the name of her blog - Petticoat Junction - and everything in it. While I'm sure she's no stranger to you, she was to me and I was kicking myself for not having met her sooner. So, if you have never met Diane, stop over and tell her I sent ya. And if you have met this wonderful woman, you'll be visiting anyway!!

Blessing of the day: I'm blessed to have a family where the passing of the torch is encouraged!