Anderson Family Holiday Traditions

Aunt Ida was my grandfather Johann's sister. The most remarkable thing about Aunt Ida was her laugh - there was no mistaking it - and her ability to cook and crochet. In a certain sense, she was the most traditional of the Andersons - for she never gave up her swedish language. It was Aunt Ida who taught my Aunt Henrietta how to make swedish spritz cookies. Take a look at our recipe compilation in Aunt Ida's Cook Book.

When visiting Aunt Hennie at Christmas time we headed straight for the kitchen and her Swedish spritz cookies. The secret is in the almond extract, a good cookie press, and not allowing the cookies to brown hard. Aunt Hennie's Swedish Spritz Cookies.

Grandmother had wonderful patience. I remember her sitting in her wheelchair before a bowl of chopped meat with a small teaspoon, carefully shaping each one and asking her why she didn't make larger meatballs - "You will finish faster." I said. Grandmother Frida reminded me the task was to be "Done right, not faster." The secret of her meatballs is in the allspice. Grandmother Frida's Swedish Meatballs.

Women are not the only accomplished cooks in the family. My Uncle Billy was a United States Army cook in the Italian campaign in World War II. I looked forward to the Sunday dinners at his home and my special Christmas favorite was his Swedish Coffee Braid. The secret of Uncle Billy's coffee braid is in the cardamom seed.Uncle Billy's Coffee Braid.

Home made yoghurt is a delight to the palate, and easy.(That's for me)! The secret is in the temperature of the milk when you add the culture, -- too hot and the culture dies, too cold and it doesn't grow. Aunt Joan's Yoghurt.