When I think of the holidays, I think of family. I also think of food--special, holiday treats that are only made once a year. Treats like Strufoli--an Italian dessert that makes it easy for you to lick your fingers!
My 2005 EPPIE Award Finalist for Best Historical Romance, THE CONTRARY CONTESSA, also focuses on family and food. And strufoli! One of the characters, Zia Concetta, often makes young Emma’s favorite dessert as a bribe for good behavior. Try this family favorite recipe and you’ll be on your best behavior, too!
Zia Concetta’s Delicious Strufoli Recipe
Ingredients: 4 cups flour, 6 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 4 ounces cooking oil, 4 tablespoons brandy or whiskey, 4 teaspoons lemon extract, 6 eggs, honey, tiny multicolored balls-“sprinkles”. Also, oil for frying.
* Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl and make a well.
* Pour in oil, whiskey, and extract.
* Break eggs in well.
* Stir together and knead until mixed.
* Roll into a long rope and cut into small pieces.
* Dip in deep hot oil and fry until golden brown.
* Cool. Pour heated honey over balls until coated.
* Dip in deep hot oil and fry until golden brown.
* Cool. Pour heated honey over balls until coated.
* Stir and sprinkle with “sprinkles.”
BLURB:
Pride And Prejudice: Because of the Sicilian tradition of “Fortuna”, Lexia Cappello believes she is destined to marry her stepbrother, the Marquess of Rutherford. Robert Weston, however, has a ready dislike of anything or anyone non-English. Can she convince this obstinate lord that his ignoble prejudice stands in the way of his future happiness?
All In The Family: At first Robert Weston is annoyed, then intrigued by his new-found Sicilian stepsister. The more he resists her, the more he finds he yearns to possess her. Can he overcome his pride to admit the error of his ways and win the Contrary Contessa’s heart?
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING from my house to yours!
Susanne Marie Knight
http://www.susanneknight.com <http://www.susanneknight.com/>
Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!
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Coming December: The Minx Tobin Mystery Series: The Yuletide Yorkshire--Case Five (Desert Breeze Publishing)
Minx finds something unexpected under the Christmas tree. Unfortunately, it wasn’t left by Santa.
We make "honey balls" at Christmas...being Italian, we've done this since I was little and watched my grandmother make them!
ReplyDeleteNice post!