Time To Relax

Homemade tortellini - photo by LadyDuck
By Anna
@LadyDuck (471498)
Switzerland
December 20, 2015 9:37am CST
After a frantic Saturday and a busy Sunday morning, I can finally sit at my computer and relax. All the Christmas gifts are wrapped. I have finished cleaning the house and all the ingredients for the Christmas lunch are stored in the refrigerator. Yesterday I have made the tortellini, they are part of the traditional Italian Christmas lunch, I make them from scratch every year. They are not too difficult to make, once you know what to do, but it takes forever to shape them, one by one. You can see the result of my work in my photo. Two hours to make a total of 250 tortellini that will be finished in ten minutes. Are you ready for the holidays or you still have something to do?
40 people like this
49 responses
@marlina (154131)
• Canada
20 Dec 15
You are a brave woman to undertake making your own tortellini.
10 people like this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
20 Dec 15
It's a family tradition, my Mom was born in Modena, I cannot buy them, I know that they would not be appreciated.
6 people like this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
22 Dec 15
@enlightenedpsych2 No the pasta is not hard to make, the stuffing must be prepared in advance, it's just a mix of meats, Parmesan and Prosciutto, the annoying part is to shame the tortellini, one at a time.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
20 Dec 15
I hope your tortellini taste good, you put a lot of work into them. No, I am nowhere near ready yet, I'll have a busy week ahead of me.
6 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
21 Dec 15
@LadyDuck those old recipes are the best but you are right they are so good no one wants to buy them commercially.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
21 Dec 15
@Marcyaz The commercial products are made to make money, so the filling is not made with good quality products.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
20 Dec 15
I know that they taste good, I use the old recipe from my grandmother, the problem is that they are too good, so nobody at home wants the commercial ones.
7 people like this
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
22 Dec 15
The tortellini look great! I just can't imagine all of them can be finished in 10 minutes, and you took two hours to make them, and not including the cooking time. Good that you have got everything prepared, and now you can be relaxed and wait until the Christmas eve!
2 people like this
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
22 Dec 15
@LadyDuck Well, that is good too, as it means the food you prepare is so delicious that everyone likes it.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
22 Dec 15
All the food we prepare takes time, but it is finished in very little time.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
22 Dec 15
@kaka135 I know that both family and friends appreciate the food I prepare and sometimes I wonder if it's a luck or not.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11384)
• United States
22 Dec 15
The hard work will be so worth it in the end. All of our gifts have arrived. We do still need to wrap them and stuff the stockings but that will not be done until Christmas Eve because the kids will get into them if we put them out earlier.
2 people like this
@rebelann (112875)
• El Paso, Texas
23 Jun 19
I didn't do this to make you feel bad @LadyDuck I'm simply helping out a friend and found out that by searching through her responses I can leave comments on those that went unanswered, everyone misses these in the beginning.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (112875)
• El Paso, Texas
23 Jun 19
That's what mom would do too, she just didn't trust us
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
23 Jun 19
@Shellyann36 I am sorry to notice that in the past I forgot to reply to several comments, Believe me that it was not intentional, I was a newbie on the site and I surely did not know exactly how notifications worked.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Dec 15
Nothing for us do do here Anna. Not much going on this year like many years. Do you make the pasta for the tortellini by hand or pasta maker or what? I would like to know how.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
20 Dec 15
I make the pasta by hand, this is the easy part, you mix eggs and flour and knead until smooth, I flatten the pasta with a small pasta machine and then cut the square that I fill with the meat and I shape the tortellini. How is your son? I hope you can spend a quiet and Merry Christmas.
3 people like this
• United States
20 Dec 15
@LadyDuck Only eggs and flour..sounds very easy..no liquid right? I will try it sometime Anna, thank you. He is doing okay in pain of course until the surgery supposed to be Jan 6th...I am scared about it Anna. Thank you for asking ...I too wish you and your family the very best of Christmas and much peace and blessings on you friend.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
20 Dec 15
@TiarasOceanView To make the dough only eggs and flour, metric quantity is 100 gr. of all purpose flour for 1 big egg.
3 people like this
@sallypup (61179)
• Centralia, Washington
20 Dec 15
I make everything from scratch but not tortellini. I love them and raviloli. Oh so tasty. My home made noodles are tough no matter how thin I roll them. I admire your skill and persistence.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
20 Dec 15
I have seen my grandmother doing them since I was a toddler. It's a family tradition.
2 people like this
@sallypup (61179)
• Centralia, Washington
20 Dec 15
@LadyDuck Family food traditions are the best.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
20 Dec 15
There are still a few things that I should do, but of course tomorrow will do.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
20 Dec 15
@LadyDuck I do hope that you have already wrapped my present, otherwise stop lazing about on the computer.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
20 Dec 15
@Asylum It's not yet wrapped Barry, which color do you prefer? I have to pick up a very nice paper.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
20 Dec 15
I have very few things left, but nothing too difficult or boring.
2 people like this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
14 Jan 17
I love going back to old discussions such as this and completely surprising the poster! Love family traditions as well. I must admit that i have to read up on tortellini as I'm unaware of this until I read this post Anna. How was the 2015 holidays different from 2016?
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
16 Jan 17
So sorry to hear that @LadyDuck .
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
15 Jan 17
The Holidays of 2015 were much better. This year my sister in law was in the hospital (she still is), so all the family was really not in the mood of celebrating.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
16 Jan 17
@allen0187 That's life.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
20 Dec 15
I remember my mother making gnocchi (sp. ?) and I had to shape them and I was so bored doing that but had no problem eating them.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
20 Dec 15
@LadyDuck I love gnocchi! Oh, to have my mother with me to cook one of hear meals? I think it is true that nobody can cook like a mother. It is for me!
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
20 Dec 15
@1hopefulman I am definitely a better cook than my mother. All the family agree.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
20 Dec 15
Gnocchi are easier and faster to make, my husband loves gnocchi.
2 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
21 Dec 15
You really amaze me with a lot of things you can do and cook . And also by taking care of the household chores by yourself yet you can still find time to prepare those . We will be buying the Christmas foods . But we already have the bought ham . I will just be making the chicken macaroni salad on the 24th , since that is a holiday already .
1 person likes this
• Philippines
23 Dec 15
@LadyDuck is it an italian tradition to eat only fish on the 24th?
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
23 Dec 15
@hereandthere It is an ancient tradition, because many years ago the Roman Catholic Church imposed not eat meat the day before Christmas. Now the rules have changed, but the tradition stayed.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
21 Dec 15
I like to make my family happy. The day of Christmas I am also going to make ham, but the 24th, as a tradition, we only eat fish, so I am going to prepare shrimps and salmon.
2 people like this
• United States
20 Dec 15
That sounds like a lot of work. I am not into Italian food that's my husband's heritage.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
20 Dec 15
It's a lot of work, I usually make a portion for the two of us and it does not take a lot of time, but to make for 8 people has been a pain.
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
20 Dec 15
@AbbyGreenhill It took two hours and a half, I had enough at the end.
• United States
20 Dec 15
@LadyDuck I wouldn't have the patience.
2 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
30 Dec 15
wow, and I thought gram slaved over the homemade noodles!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
30 Dec 15
The noodles are quickly done, I love homemade noodles.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
31 Dec 15
@Jessicalynnt You should try, it's easy and the noodles are so much better that those you buy.
1 person likes this
• Centralia, Missouri
30 Dec 15
@LadyDuck me too, just never tried to make them myself,
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218967)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Dec 15
I will turn in my grades tonight. Then I can relax a bit. Actually, I relaxed with football and loudspeakers for most of today. My last two posts chronicale my progress. Was it fun making the tortellinis, even though they'll be gobbled up in ten minutes?
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
22 Dec 15
@Butchcass4 No, it is not true that I do not like doing tortellini. I prepare them several time a year for my husband, it's the fact to have to make many that is a lot of work.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
21 Dec 15
I hate to do all repetitive tasks, so you can imagine that fold 250 little squares of pasta to shape the tortellini is not the thing I like most, but I do just to please my family.
2 people like this
• United States
22 Dec 15
@LadyDuck It's a shame you have to do something you really don't like doing. I think I'd cut it from the menu if it were me for sure
1 person likes this
@whiteream (8567)
• United States
20 Dec 15
I am almost done myself, just a little baking left and I have to put one gift together for my son. I will be doing that on Monday.
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
21 Dec 15
well then you will be finished also @whiteream
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
20 Dec 15
All the gifts are wrapped and the cards are written, I am happy tonight.
2 people like this
@whiteream (8567)
• United States
20 Dec 15
@LadyDuck Yes, the is time to get a little rest before the big day.
1 person likes this
@youless (112507)
• Guangzhou, China
22 Dec 15
Wow! You are just so professional! Your tortellini is just like made by the professional chef. They are so impressive. I bet they must taste so well, too. I think we will just have a good meal in Christmas, namely more dishes
1 person likes this
@youless (112507)
• Guangzhou, China
22 Dec 15
@LadyDuck I am not surprised to hear that. Italian food is one of the most famous food in the world and I really enjoy it.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
22 Dec 15
In our family there are a couple of real "chefs", it must be genetic.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
23 Dec 15
When should I expect mine?? I have a rule--people talk/boast about food they have to let us taste it!!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
23 Dec 15
As you live in a wonderful place, I would come to bring you yours.
@gudheart (12659)
23 Dec 15
I have yet to wrap my presents yet, but I will do that xmas eve :D
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
23 Dec 15
I have just finished putting the gifts under the tree, now I have only to wait for the guests.
@shshiju (10342)
• Cochin, India
21 Dec 15
I have never heard of it tortellini. It's image is really wonderful. As the first comment indicates you are really a brave woman. I don't understand how do you handle all of these I think you are doing a lot of travels you are one of top pest res ponders to any discussion to any people. that means that you will spent a lot of time in computer And combine your cooking and family matters I have doubt that Did your hubby help you in the matter of tortellini?
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
21 Dec 15
Thank you George, you are so kind. NO, hubby did not help, but he wanted to have some for the dinner, I am glad that I made some more, just in case. I have spend several hours a day at the computer, may bee more than I should, but I like this site.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
21 Dec 15
@shshiju (10342)
• Cochin, India
21 Dec 15
@LadyDuck Keep going on both your cooking and MyLotting we are enjoying very much.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340286)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Dec 15
That is a lot of effort for something that will be gone in ten minutes.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
28 Dec 15
It was a lot of effort, but I was so happy when my niece said they are the best in the world, the only problem... she asked to make more so she can have them the next time she comes to visit.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
28 Dec 15
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340286)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Dec 15
@LadyDuck Oh dear! You've made them too good - and now everyone will want some. Your niece might be just the start.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
21 Dec 15
Happy Holidays to you. I hope you will enjoy taking bites with those 'finger foods(?). or are those part of an Italian dis/ pardon me, I have not heard of that.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
21 Dec 15
No this is not finger food, this is pasta stuffed with a mix of meat, that we usually serve in a beef broth.
2 people like this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
22 Dec 15
@LadyDuck oh, now i know.thanks for sharing that my friend
1 person likes this