Selena Robins, Author

This time of year can bring back childhood memories for many people. For me, it’s my mom making cullurielli. Southern Italian sweet fried dough served on Christmas Eve.

The kitchen would smell of warm, sweet fried donut-shaped pieces, sizzling in the pan. We couldn’t wait to dig right in.

Cullerielli are crispy on the outside, with a soft, chewy center. A tasty gift for the taste buds.

I’m excited to share my mom’s cullurielli recipe so you can bring a bit of that holiday magic into your own kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup mashed potatoes (peel potatoes, boil, drain, then put them through a sieve or potato ricer, so they are smooth)
• 2 tbsp white granulated sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 packet yeast
• ½ cup warm water
• 3 tbsp Extra-Virgin olive oil
• Oil for frying (peanut or sunflower oil is the best for frying)

Directions:

Wake up the yeast: Mix warm water, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl or measuring cup. Wait for it to froth. Takes about 10 minutes.

Make the dough: Sift the flour in a larger bowl, then add salt, mashed potato, olive oil, and yeast mixture.

Kneading time: Knead gently until smooth.

Let it rise: Cover and let the dough double in size (about an hour). Perfect time for a wine break.

Shape the dough: Add flour to your hands, divide into equal-sized balls, and shape each into a doughnut by making a hole in the center. Sprinkle a bit of flour over each doughnut (so they don’t stick to the kitchen towel you’ll use to cover them, and let them rise another hour.

Fry time: Heat oil to 350°F and fry them in batches until golden. Make sure the heat isn’t too high (they’ll burn), too low (they’ll get too greasy). So stick with 350F.

Sweet finale: Drain each one on paper towels.

Dusting: Dust with powdered sugar, or you can dust with granulated sugar, or drizzle honey over each one if you’re feeling extra.

Best served hot.

I’ve invited the characters from my books to share their holiday greetings with you.

Hi. Ryan O’Flannagan here.

Yes, that Ryan. The one who catches cheaters for a living and somehow keeps tripping over dead bodies instead.

I’m wishing you happy holidays, preferably ones that do not involve the Russian mob, surprise surveillance, or an infuriatingly attractive law-enforcement frenemy telling you to “stay put” for your own safety (translation: he’s bossy).

(He’s glaring at me right now. Very festive.)

May your cookies be sweet, your fried dough plentiful (especially if it’s cullurielli), and your enemies remain strictly fictional.

And from Gabe, who insists I add: Stay safe. And don’t do anything illegal.

I make no promises.

Happy holidays, and thank you for spending part of your year with us.

Warmest wishes, Ryan & Gabe.

Hi, I’m Maddie from WHAT A GIRL WANTS, bringing you season’s greetings. I brought the mistletoe (plus my brand of mischief), and Alex supposedly brought the willpower (we’ll see how long that lasts).

Wishing you a season full of laughter, love, and a little extra heat.

Love and hugs, Alex and Maddie.

Somehow, between mystical mishaps and all the curveballs life threw my way, I (Sabrina) survived another year. Jason survived my bossy side; he claims it’s an achievement worthy of a holiday miracle.

Together, we’re wishing you a season full of laughter, love, a little magic, and the kind of romance that sneaks up on you when you least expect it.

With love, Sabrina & Jason.

Free Short Story

As a thank-you for following my blog and my writing journey, please enjoy this free story.

Click the download button below (or read online).

TEMPTED BY AN ANGEL

Angelina and Matthew’s lives collide in a whirlwind of balloons, killer heels, and chaotic mishaps.

Laugh, swoon, and maybe hope for a little serendipity of your own.