What are your plans for the holidays this year? Taking a trip? We usually travel at Thanksgiving, but stay home for Christmas. To me, there is something so special about Christmas morning in our own home. After the wild ripping of paper and bows, there’s the calm peace of knowing you have absolutely nothing to do but spend time with your family all day. Weather permitting, perhaps this Christmas Day will be when we finally teach my youngest to ride a bike without training wheels … after all, we’re already a year later with him than we were with the other children!
During the holidays, we often get together with family and friends to share a meal. These aren’t just ordinary meals. They’re different from the rest of the year. We take extra care to prepare special dishes, trying our best to make everyone present feel valued and appreciated. Perhaps we put a unique decoration or treat by each plate. or personalize each spot at the table with a place card. I’ll admit I’m not very fancy, but occasionally I’ve made a point to dress up my table for a special occasion—because it sometimes seems like the atmosphere itself can make or break a celebration.
Ever since we got our first taste of winter this year, I’ve been on a bit of a snowman kick. They are just so appealing to me. They seem to be the essence of childlike excitement for winter, I suppose … so imagine my delight to happen upon an egg appetizer that just happens to be a snowman. How cute would that be, sitting beside each plate?
Ingredients:
- you will need two eggs per snowman (large and small sizes, if you have them)
- peppercorns for eyes and buttons
- whole carrots to slice for his hat and nose
- 1 skewer, like you might use for BBQ or kebabs
- parsley sprigs for the broom
- uncooked pasta (a straight variety like spaghetti or linguine)
Directions:
- Start by boiling your eggs. You might want to boil a few more than you will need in case you have difficulties peeling any eggs. I’ve googled till my eyes were crossed, testing different tricks to try to get my eggs to peel easily, but I just haven’t found the perfect solution. If you have a tried-and-true trick, please leave me a note. I’m still looking for an answer.
- Once your eggs are ready, peel a carrot and cut two pieces about a quarter of an inch thick, one from the large end and one from the middle. Stack them with the smaller piece on top, and stab a bamboo skewer through both to make a hole.
- Cut the top and bottom ends off your eggs (to make a flat surface).
- Stack two eggs (large and small, if you have them) on top of one another. Poke the skewer through both eggs, then remove it.
Replace it with a piece of uncooked pasta so your creation will be completely edible and safe. Thread the uncooked pasta all the way through the carrot slices—your snowman’s hat—and both eggs (his body). Snip off any extra pasta sticking out when you’re finished.
- Use the sharp tip of your skewer to poke small holes for the snowman’s eyes, nose, and the buttons on his coat. Place a peppercorn in each hole for the eyes and buttons, and a small piece of carrot for the nose.
- Make a hole on one side with your skewer and add a sprig of parsley for a broom. Or, if you’d prefer, you can use a sprig of parsley on each side to look like arms.
That’s it. You have a fun, adorable, 100% edible snack to add to the holiday excitement around your home!
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