It has been a tradition for our family to watch our all-time favorite Christmas movie, A Christmas Story, every year! One of our favorite parts in the movie is when the family winds up enjoying Christmas dinner at the “Chop Suey Palace,” with the waiters singing Christmas carols off-key.

“Fa ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra!” The waiters did their best (which I love) and even with the owner’s attempts at correction, the waiters continue…fa ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra!! Love it, love it, love it!

For the main course a duck replaces a turkey. In accordance with Chinese custom, the duck is served with the head intact. When the father complains that the duck is “smiling” at him, the cook swiftly and efficiently hacks the head off with a cleaver. I’m hysterical just thinking about it!

Here is our recipe for Chinese Fortune Cookies. At Christmastime we place fortunes reading “Merry Christmas” inside! This is a fun and unexpected Christmas Cookie!

1 egg white
½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
½ tsp. pure almond extract
1 pinch salt
¼ c. King Arthur unbleached flour
Zest of one lemon
2 tbsp. granulated sugar

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray baking stone or sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Write a message on 4-in by ½-in wide strips of paper; in this case we’re writing a Christmas message.

Mix the egg white, vanilla, almond and lemon zest until foam, but not stiff. Sift flour, salt and sugar and blend into egg white mixture.
Place teaspoonfuls of batter at least 4 inches apart on cookie sheet. Using the back of a small spoon spread batter so that you have a circle approximately 3-inches in diameter. Do not make too many at one time. You must form them as soon as they come out of the oven.

Bake 5 minutes or until the outer edges only are golden brown.
Remove with a spatula and place message inside. Fold over to form fortune cookie and place in an egg carton to harden.

Delicious and fun!