When I think of preparing holiday recipes, my mind instantly conjures the image of my mom’s weathered pastry mat. That giant piece of thick plastic—no matter how many times it was washed—always seemed to have a light coating of flour across it. But that’s just a sign of how well-loved it was. During the holidays, it held near-constant residency on the kitchen counter, waiting for the next pie crust or cutout cookie dough recipe to begin on its surface. I inherited that pastry mat, and although I have a sturdier silicone version at home, I always reach for my mom’s when baking.
Mom’s pastry mat is the definition of a holiday essential—that tool or gadget that helps churn out brilliant brownies, a perfectly golden turkey or the creamiest mashed potatoes imaginable.…
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Taste of Home (Digital) - 1 Issue, October/November 2022