Hola 2014! The Camellia, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Doesn't it seem like yesterday when it was the start of the year 2,000 and there were many dire predictions that the world, as we knew it, was going to end. All the computers would crash, and who knew what chaos would ensue. Now, we are entering the year 2014....ahem..how did all those years by? 

Opa Overmeer rang in the New Year with a traditional Dutch treat of  Oliebollen, a tasty treat.  

We used a recipe from About.com Dutch Food filed under Old-fashioned Oliebollen. ( and modified it a bit)

1 tsp. sugar
2 small packets of instant dry yeast
4 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1.5 cups of milk
1/2 cup of beer
1 tsp. salt
we added 1/3 cup of raisins and 1 small apple, peeled and diced. ( soak raisins in water first)
powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon (added into the flour mixture)
8 cups of vegetable oil for frying batter

In a bowl, mix 1 tsp. of sugar into 1/2 cup of hand hot water. Sprinkle yeast on top. Mix flour and sugar and cinnamon  together, add eggs and yeast mixture. Warm up milk and add to mixture. Add raisins and beer and apple bits, cover bowl and let rise for an hour. Fry in oil and serve warm. Refer to site above for full instructions.

They are best eaten fresh, dipped in a bit of icing sugar or just regular sugar. Yum...!

Then it's off to the Lake for a cold  walk to watch the waves and ice formations on Lake Superior. 

And we all indulged in decadent chocolates ... thank goodness Christmas comes only once a year...diets will begin next week, but for now... indulge. 

Happy 2014 .. May the New Year bring you great Joy. 

The Camellia, 30 Hacquoil Rd. Thunder Bay, On

p-807)475-3551 , or toll-free at 1-877-523-7444