Whatever your pursuing in life or whatever you may be doing, family should be a priority at the top of your list. Whenever you’re with family, it brings everyone closer and a sense of togetherness. After reminiscing on some of our major family correlations, one of the fond memories that I always think back on is having my grandmother make some homemade mini croissants, then serving them whenever we all came together, wherever we chose to gather. These rolls were so special to everyone in our family because not that they were made from my grandmother, but that they were made with love, passion or special intent from generations ago because of where they first emerged.
When I had first started to learn how to bake, one of the numerous people I had referred to in asking for recipes had been my grandma. When I asked for a recipe that I could keep with me, she gave me the recipe for mini croissants because of the significant meaning to it. It just so happened that the recipe that was given to me had been passed down from one of my grandmothers from a decade before me, on my mom’s side of the family, then inherited to my dad’s grandmother for safekeeping. When she showed me how old the original recipe was, I was shocked at how old it truly was, but also how well it tasted. After showing me this, she had then proceeded to explain how to form the dough into two triangles so that it would form a croissant when rolled together. Seeing this process was unique in that, it had been formed so that each stage was meticulously developed so that the finished product would turn out just right. First, you cut the dough so that it forms an isosceles acute triangle that can be then used later on. Do the same on the other side of the dough so that it becomes a reflection of the original triangle. Now carefully, cut out the piece of the dough, making sure not to rip any part of it and keeping it as much intact as possible. Once the dough is properly cut, gently sprinkle some flour on the dough and the surface you will be using so that the dough doesn’t become sticky and messy. Flour up your hands so that the dough won’t stick as much either. Carefully take the tip of the triangle, starting to roll it, making it smooth as you go. These must be meticulously and precision cut to ensure that it rolls together properly. Similar caution and care must be taken to ensure that the dough will not unwind during the baking.
As I look back on making these rolls, one of the joyful memories that will always be with me is how we have eaten them. I remember always being divided into three tables: one for the boys, one for the girls and one for the adults. I remember always having the tables being divided and having the boy’s table inside the kitchen because we ate so many compared to everyone else. I guess that’s what you get for having such a delicious, well-cherished recipe. It was interesting to see how marvelous her cooking is and how it still stays that way, but yet amazes me in ways that I cannot express with pen to paper.
While I was helping bake these small croissants, I was reminiscing of how joyful everyone was not just to fellowship together as well as upbringing but more so because of my grandmothers baking skills that yet still astound me to this day and will always. As much as I want to see my grandmother live forever, I know that it would be incredibly hard to resuscitate how much care and effort she has put into keeping this recipe what it has become today. It will no doubt be a tradition that I will surely pass down to future generations in my family so that others can experience what a privilege it is to be able to make these small croissants.
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