Happy St. Nicholas Day: Traditional Cookies and The Weekly Menu

We have spent the week readying our house for the Holidays.  All the Thanksgiving and Fall decorations have been replaced with symbols of our Lord's birthday.

We started early this year because our schedule is so crazy.....

Photo taken from Google Images.

I blinked and it was already St. Nicholas day.  St. Nicholas Day kicks off the Christmas season in our family and Christmas doesn't end until Epiphany on January 6th.  We are celebrating the onset of the season with dinner at Amy and Doug's tonight.  I made some traditional Speculaas cookies to share.

This is also the weekend that Santa is coming to have lunch with all the grands.  Thanksgiving arriving so late this year has me all in a dither.  My sister in law, Rebecca, came by for dessert on Thanksgiving and we were talking about her annual cookie party and my annual Santa party and she mentioned that it was the following weekend.  Say WHAT?!!!  I hadn't even sent out the invites yet!!

So one week ago, those invitations were mailed.  I hope the Grand's parents don't scalp me when they arrive.  So, I decided to remove the ham steak and potato salad from Thursday night's dinner and buy a ham to serve up for the Santa lunch.

Sunday we are having a brunch after Mass.  Kirsten's twin sister, Katrina is in town from Arizona and her sister Laura is coming in from Ontario, Canada for the weekend.  Having brunch before Laura heads home is a great way to spend time with this dear family.

There is something on the calendar each day from now until the New Year.  So bear with me as I plan the weekly menus.  Chances are it will change from day to day.

You will find the Speculaas recipe that I found on my friend Sarah's blog below the weekly menu.  Do you celebrate St Nick day in your household?

Saturday-Santa Lunch

Baked Ham
Chicken Strips

Potato Salad

Broccoli Salad
Cole Slaw

Assorted Breads and Condiments for Sandwiches

Birthday Cake for Jesus

Sunday Brunch
French Toast Casserole
Fruit Salad
Sliced Ham

Sunday Dinner

Chinese Chicken Curry

Steamed Rice

Stir Fry Veggies

Monday

Instant Pot Bean Soup (using ham bone from Saturday)

Taco Tuesday

Build your own Tacos
Black Bean Nachos

Wednesday

Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

Leftover Salads from Saturday

Thursday

Make your own Pizzas

Friday

Date Night

#StNicholasDay, #ChristmasCookies, #cookies, #spice, #gingerbread, #desserts, #holidaydesserts,

Desserts, Cookies, Holidays

Dutch

Yield: 12 servings

Author: Wendy Klik

Speculaas (Dutch Spice Cookies)

These spice cookies are commonly referred to as Windmill Cookies but can be made in any shape you desire. They are traditionally served on St. Nicholas Day which kicks off the Christmas Season for many Christians.

prep time: 45 Mcook time: 12 Mtotal time: 57 M

ingredients:

• 6 T. butter, room temperature
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1 3/4 c. flour
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 2 t. cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 t. nutmeg
• 1/2 t. ground cloves
• 1/2 t. ground ginger
• 1/4 c. milk
• sliced almonds, if desired

instructions:

How to cook Speculaas (Dutch Spice Cookies)

1. Place butter and sugar in the large bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment.  Beat on med speed until creamy and smooth.
2. Add the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger.  Mix on low speed until combined and forms a sand-like mixture.
3. Add the milk and beat until the dough forms wet crumbs.  With clean hands knead and form the mixture into a ball.  Cover in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least a half hour and up to overnight.  (If you leave the dough in the refrigerator overnight, allow to sit at room temperature for an hour before rolling.)
4. Roll the dough to a thickness of 1/4-1/3" and cut into desired shape. Reroll scraps and cut until all dough is used.  (I used a gingerbread cutter and had enough dough for one dozen cookies. )
5. Place the cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone mat.  Bake in a preheated 350* oven for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown around edges.   

NOTES:

Adapted from a recipe found at Curious Cuisiniere

Calories
194.27

Fat (grams)
9.92

Sat. Fat (grams)
4.06

Carbs (grams)
23.55

Fiber (grams)
1.74

Net carbs
21.81

Sugar (grams)
7.54

Protein (grams)
3.79

Sodium (milligrams)
114.59

Cholesterol (grams)
15.67

Based on forming one dozen cookies from recipe.

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Property of A Day in the Life on the Farm

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