Breakfast Pastries

Madelyn prepared these yummy "homemade" toaster pastries this morning.  They were crispy, sweet and warm from the oven.

Remove puff pastry from box and allow time for the pastry to thaw.  Be sure to separate the folds before it is completely thawed or it will stick together.  We could have made the pastry from scratch, but I can't tolerate that big a mess so early in the day.

Cut each pastry into three, using the fold lines as a guide.  Spread homemade jam to about 1/2 an inch from the edges.  We used strawberry.

Crimp the edges of the pastry with a fork and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Please, ignore my scratch, well-used pan.  Bake at 425 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.  Remove when golden brown.  The bottom will cook faster than the top, so watch carefully.

Enjoy!

Fresh Ravioli

                                                             

Joe received a pasta machine for Christmas.  He's been waiting impatiently to use it.  Sunday, we picked up some ricotta cheese, fresh Parmesan cheese, and mushrooms.  Joe and Amy spent the afternoon rolling pasta and making fresh ravioli.  They were so good!  I love the tenderness of fresh homemade pasta.  YUM!

 

The dough has rested and is waiting to go through the roller.



Here is the filling placed carefully on the rolled dough.

 

Pasta folded and the edges crimped.  Ready for cooking.


           

There was enough left over pasta to fill one gallon zip lock bag.  I love having home made ravioli ready for a quick lunch or dinner.  Thanks for another great meal, Joe!

Gingerbread Houses

My oldest daughter and youngest son decided that they wanted to make a gingerbread castle this year, instead of the traditional house.  They worked together to design the castle and then used left-over candy from Alison's Candyland birthday cake.  Unfortunately, they ran out of time for fancy decorating, but I loved Nesi made out of circus peanuts in the moat.

On Christmas Eve, Katie purchased a gingerbread house kit from work because they were clearing them out.  After we had returned from church and eaten dinner, Katie helped Paige and Allie make this gingerbread house.  Can anyone guess where Katie works on the coloring and the gingerbread man (Homer) from the kit?