Some holiday traditions to share

Sorry, I haven't posted in a couple of weeks. I have just finished my last order of doll clothes and now I can finally get to thinking about Christmas. I have yet to put up my tree or any other decorations but Jeff and is family is coming next week and I have to get ready. We're having the Schippers' Family Christmas Eve party at my house this year and the menu will consist of two of our family tradition recipes.

Oliebollen
1 pkg yeast, 1 tsp sugar, 3/4 c warm (110 degrees) Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water and let stand in warm place for 30 minutes.

3 eggs beaten
2 c warm milk
3 tbsp light corn syrup
4 c flour
1 tbsp salt (yes, a whole tablespoon but you can reduce to 2 tsp)
1 cup raisins
1 c chopped apples ( I like to use granny smith)

Combine eggs, milk, corn syrup, raising, apples and yeast mixture in a large bowl. Add flour and salt. Mix well for 2-3 minutes. Test a spoonful of dough to see if it will fall into a "lump" from the spoon. If not, add more milk or flour. Let rise in a warm place for 2 hours.

Drop by teaspoons into 375 degree vegetable oil. Fry until light golden brown. Drain on paper towels then sprinkle immediately with powdered sugar while still warm.

This is a Dutch New Years tradition but in my family, it's our Christmas Eve tradition. I'm also including my mom's meatball soup. This seems to be a favorite of every person that tries it:

Oma's meatball soup
Fill up a stew pot about 2/3 full with water. Put in two envelopes of Lipton chicken soup mix with diced white chicken meat and about 7-10 chicken bouillon cubes. (You can substitute about half of the bouillon cubes if you use 1-2 boxes of chicken broth. Of course you would reduce the water by that much too). Bring to a boil. In the meantime, season 1 lb ground beef with salt, pepper, season all and about 1/2 tsp nutmeg. (nutmeg is very important). Mix well and shape into little 1 inch balls and drop into boiling soup. Sautee 1 small onion and two stalks of celery in butter and add that then add a package frozen sliced carrots, 1 pkg frozen brussel sprouts. Simmer for about 15 minutes then add about 4 crushed coils of vermicelli and simmer until the noodles are soft.

If I don't have the chance to post next week, I hope you all have a happy and safe Christmas!