retreat

Yes, I have been a bit distracted in my research. With Christmas (Weihnachten) upon us it is time once again to think back to the special things that keep Gramma and Grampa alive for me. It is especially important this time of year because the weather is so frightful and the memories keep me warmer than a roaring fire. The foremost memory, beyond the Christmas balls from Wollworths and Kresge's, beyond the silver tinsel and the decorated styrofoamballs hanging in the dining room window is the strudel at the end of Christmas dinner.
Eggnog really was too rich an accompaniment to such a decadent desert even if one had only a single slice. But who could eat only one? The butter, the sugared sultanas and all the powdered sugar.... mmmmmmmmmmmmm. I think what made it most special was that it only appeared at Christmas. And it took 3 months to make.
I thought that would get your attention. It didn't take 3 months from mix to bake. That is only a short prep, an overnight trip to the fridge and a quick assembly the next day. If you don't include the resting time it only takes about 40 minutes and the recipes makes two loaves. Just before he had that last bout, Grampa promised me that he would teach me how to make it since mom was never interested. He said that he always made it the last week of October so that it had a good eight weeks in the freezer. A day in the fridge and then the rest of the time in hte freezer. It is called mellowing.
This extra step is what allowed the raisin and nut flavor to penetrate the dough from the inside out. It is also most likely what made it taste so heavy. I don't think it needs that long. I made that loaf in 2005 three days before the dinner. The other reason for freezing it is so that it can be cut while still fairly rigid and thus would not crumble as badly on the plate as if it were cut and served "fresh". Since it turned out so well, I don't feel bad about not putting this out there until now as there is still plenty of time to churn out a loaf or two before Christmas.
I also have to admit I almost lost the recipe with my last disorganized move. So in the next post I will publish the Holiday Yeast Cake recipe and tell you again what I know about it. I would have loved to have a photo but I am not able to make one this year and it never occurred to me that it would be necessary to photograph something like that. But if we don't then what happens when we lose our marbles later in life? or worse... a recipe book as priceless as our family traditions?
It was almost losing the recipes, Grampa's, Dad's, Mom's and some of my favorites from my friends' families that inspired me to post. But I also don't want to be the only person who knows how to make it. Brian's reaction when he saw it was priceless... something I wish I had a photo of. It's the kind of reaction everyone in this family is entitled to have and experience. I have found too much divisiveness within the parts of our story I have found. It should not remain a generational burden. So, don't hold your breath but tune in tomorrow or Saturday for the recipe.
Frohe Weihnachten Familie!