Fruits and Pastries and Hams, OH MY!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Today I did not do anything of importance in such a way that I could connect it to today's post. Therefore, today's topic is going to be random and it is: Christmas food.

Now, we all know that my family chows down on a large Christmas lasagna on the eve of the holiday, but what does everyone else eat? Well, here in America there are several traditions; some good, some bad. Let's start with the good: hams, turkeys, puddings, cookies, pies, and cakes. Being the resident pastry maker for both of my families, I am responsible for making such cookies, pies and cakes.

A few years back, I got my hands on a Wilton catalog of cookie designs which I haven't yet gotten to use. This year, however, while I am at school, my roommate and I have decided that we will make some cookies to dispense throughout the rooms on our floor. I'm really looking forward to making really delicate and intricate designs with both flow icing and royal icing. The difference between the two, for those who don't know, is the consistency and use on cookies. Flow icing is used to make a smooth, level, and shiny surface that completely covers the surface of a cookie evenly. Royal icing hardens when it dries, and is used to outline cookies so that the flow icing will stay on the top. As well as cookies, royal icing is used mostly in gingerbread house making. Speaking of that, my step dad and I have won the Historic Annapolis Gingerbread Contest three years running! We decided not to compete again because I won't have the time to work on it. Usually we worked from the end of October to the beginning of December, and since I'm in school, we just can't spin that.

In addition to making cookies, I will also be making pies for the holiday season. I'm sending in my apple pie for judging in the county fair, and I'm making all the pies for Thanksgiving for my Dad's family. How about you guys? Do you make pies?

Anyway, I guess we should talk about the bad. One word: fruitcake. If made correctly, it can be tolerated and even slightly tasteful. BUT, when made badly, it can be hard as a rock, and teeth breaking. I, myself have never made fruitcake, but I would like to in the future. However, I understand that there are quite a lot of different alcohols involved so I can't right now. Perhaps sometime in the future, or maybe not, who knows?

I hope your mouth is slobbering with all the delicious sugarplums that are dancing in your head. I want to know, what do you guys eat for the holidays? Anything unusual?

Until next time,
Lasagna Claus

Remember my little fruitcakes: 134 Days Until Christmas!