Saturday, December 1, 2007

Spotlight Saturday

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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!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketNow, 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!

27 comments:

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Julie,
Those Tour-Dedes sounds delicious. I'm like you, I don't like getting sticky. LOL. I will eat pancakes and waffles, but I try not to use alot of syrup or anything. It is so good of you to keep that tradition going for your Father. I'm sure he appreciates it. Well, take care my friend and have a great weekend. May God Bless You and Yours.

Hugs,
Karen H.
P.S. Hope things are better between you and hubby now.

Anita said...

I don't like sticky either... But those sound wonderful!

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Yummy!

Good to hear the conclusion of the "situation" yesterday! You know we've all been there. And I'm all about being real so I appreciate you!

And thanks for the link to Lori yesterday, I hadn't yet met her and we both contribute to CWO so I was SO glad you directed me to her blog. She is an inspirational lady.

Have a great day and weekend, Julie! We put our tree up last night, it is about 8 feet across, yes, its chubby, and 9 feet tall! I am not kidding, I hope I have enough decorations! LOL!

BittersweetPunkin said...

Good morning Julie...those look yummy, I'd like to have some with my coffee. We got a skooch of snow last night.
Blessings,
Robin

Emily said...

The Christmas Tudides sound great! I would probably eat quite a few of them. Have you ever had beignets? I haven't, but I'd love to try those too.

Anonymous said...

Hey Julie! Instead of me making those could you just send me a box of them?

:) Lynn

Anonymous said...

You had me all the way up to "I don't eat pancakes or waffles".
How is that even possible?! Also, I tend to put honey on most things. It's my favorite of all the bee spit products.

Sling said...

I've only recently begun eating waffles and pancakes without using my fingers,thus avoiding the whole sticky issue..more Tour-Dedes please!

Unknown said...

Oh yum! Don't even put these things in front of me, I would eat them all. Carbs, my favorite thing!

FarmHouse Style said...

Ooo, Julie those look delicious, dangerous perhaps, but delicious..lol!

I went over an saw Diane, I like her already:) Thanks for the spot light.

Rhonda

PAT said...

Hello Julie! Those look absolutely delightfully wonderfully delicious!

Pat

Nan said...

With a name like honey cakes they can't be all bad!
Nan

Anonymous said...

Those look awsome..I had Christmas opening house at my antique store. We had so much food and great food..im stuffed. I bet I could make room for one of your yummys.

Dena said...

Oh I want to come over and hang out at your place and eat! LOL those sound sooooooooooo good! I was going to bake today but I just couldn't get my mojo going. Hope you are having a good evening :)

Hugs,
D

Unknown said...

My first visit and I just love your holiday blog header! Might even try your recipe, although I'm not much of a cook. I'll be back - thanks for the inspiration!

Mary said...

Hi Julie, I've missed visiting these past few days! And it looks like I picked a great day to come back -- another great recipe! My aunt used to make something similar, round puffs of fried dough with honey drizzled over the top. Delicious!
xoxo,
Mary

Esther Sunday said...

Hi Julie! Just read your last couple of posts, hope all is well! We recently got in a tizzy and it was over a frickin' crock pot!!!! Yes!!!! We both work and I left earlier in the morning and asked that he put this and that in the pot, etc. Well, ya think the world came to an end!!!! Come to find out, there were really other issues behind it. Well, why didn't he say so in the first place!? Ya just gotta love 'em

Rosemary said...

Hi Julie,
I love those!! I am half Calabrese and half Sicilian.
Rosemary

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Those look wonderful!
Penny

Michelle said...

Julie, I want to make these for my Dad, I think this is one of my grandma's lost recipes. I've only seen packets of yeast, where do I get a 1/2 cake of yeast? Have a wonderful weekend.. Michelle

Bristol said...

Julie that looks wonderful. Hope all is well. I bet your house is decorated perfectly, shopping and baking has started. You got me in the mood I started decorating early,
So thanks!!!
Bristol

kari and kijsa said...

Looks so yummy! Although sticky isn't our favorite- we would dive into that delicious platter anytime!!

blessings,
kari & kijsa

Anonymous said...

Isnt Diane such a sweetie... You remember the Friendly site award you gave me and I sent it back to you??? well this is what she had to say.... I love it...

I quote:

Diane Says:
November 20th, 2007 at 12:33 am edit
Well you have just touched my heart by reading what you had to say about Julie. I AM FEELIN THE LOVE! It is such a wonderful feeling! Thank you for stopping by Petticoat Junction.
xoxo
Di

HUGS
JO

Anonymous said...

Julie
I am feelin the love! You are such a doll! So glad I found your blog and so glad you found mine!
xoxo
Diane

Supermom said...

those sound yummy but sound like too much trouble for my skills. LOL!

Michelle said...

Julie, Thanks for the yeast explanation. I had my husband read your recipe so we are going to attempt to make these. I'll keep you posted. Thanks so much, I'm sending you a BIG hug, Michelle

Lovella ♥ said...

I'm definately going to give these morsels a try. Oh yummy. Thank you.