Sunday, December 7, 2008

Northern Lights Tree with Emma's Christmas Memory



Northern Lights Tree

Do you want a nordic feel to your tree? We have a wonderful tree skirt that looks like a sweater. Nordic ornaments in the shape of mittens, snowflakes and old fashioned ice skates. Add the skis, snowshoes & ice crystals for a beautiful look


Emma's Memory

Our Christmas tradition, since my sister and I were small, was to help our Mother and Grandmother with Christmas baking. I have continued that same tradition with my children, and am now continuing it with my grandchildren. My son and daughters are also doing it their children. ( my grandchildren). I have attached the recipe at the bottom for you to enjoy with your family this holiday season.



This is a picture of 4 of my grandchildren helping to make raised doughnuts using our traditional finnish biscuit (cinnamon roll) recipe.



Here is Morgan frying the doughnuts


Finn Bread Vera Joki’s recipe

2 pkgs dry yeast 1 quart milk, scalded
½ cup warm water with 1 tsp sugar 2 cups wheat or bran flakes
½ cup brown sugar 5 ½ cups white flour
4 tsp salt ½ cup bulgar (in 1 c. hot water)
2 cups whole wheat flour 3 tbsp. butter

As you begin your preparations, put the ½ cup bulgar in a bowl and pour boiling water over it. Let this stand for 30 – 45 minutes. Scald the milk, then add the wheat flakes, brown sugar, and salt to the hot milk and allow it to cool to lukewarm. Dissolve the yeast in water with white sugar (this will double in size as it “works”.) When the milk mixture is lukewarm add the yeast mixture and mix. Add the whole wheat flour and mix thoroughly. Blend in the white flour a cup at a time, mixing thoroughly. Knead the dough until it is very smooth, kneading in the butter. Butter the dough and the bowl, cover, and let rise until double in size (about 45 minutes to 1 hour). Punch down, and let rise again until doubled – another 40 minutes to an hour. Divide the dough into 4 equal parts, and form into 8 or 9” flat round loaves. Let rise on a towel that has been sprinkled with whole wheat flour or corn meal, about 45 minutes – 1 hour. Carefully flip onto cookie sheets, punch holes in the top with a meat fork, and bake at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes. You may wish to transfer the loaves directly to the oven racks after their first 20-30 minutes of baking to improve the browning. The bread will be done when it makes a hollow sound when tapped in the center. Cool and enjoy with butter!