Monday, December 31, 2007

Vassilopita: Greek New Year's Cake



Vasilopita (Βασιλόπιτα) is a traditional New Year's Day bread or cake in Greece and many other areas in eastern Europe and the Balkans which contains a hidden coin or trinket which gives good luck to the receiver. It is made of a variety of doughs, depending on regional and family tradition, including tsoureki.
It is associated with Saint Basil's day, January 1, in most of Greece, but in some regions, the traditions surrounding a cake with a hidden coin are attached to Epiphany or to Christmas.
In other areas of the Balkans, the tradition of cake with a hidden coin during winter holidays exists, but is not associated with Saint Basil at all. Hasluck (1927) documents the practice among Ukrainians (a pirog is cut); Romanians; Serbs ("chesnitza", eaten on Christmas); Albanians ("pitta", eaten by both Christians and Muslims); Bulgarians (pogatcha, Novogodichna banitsa (for New Year's), Svity Vasileva bogatcha); etc


Recipe


INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup of butter
1 1/2 cups of sugar
6 eggs
4 tablespoons of brandy
grated peel of 2 oranges
4 cups of self-rising flour
3/4 cup of evaporated milk
1 coin wrapped in foil
confectioner's sugar (optional)
grated coconut (optional)
marmelade (optional)


PREPARATION:

Bring all ingredients to room temperature, and preheat the oven to 390F (200C).
Cream the butter in a mixing bowl. Beating continuously, add in order:
the sugar, very slowly
the eggs one at a time
the brandy
Still beating, sprinkle in the grated orange peel to distribute evenly throughout the batter.

Add milk, then flour, a small amount at a time.
Flour a round 12" to 13" diameter tapsi (baking pan with 2-3" sides) and pour in the batter.
The cake will bake for a total of about 45 minutes, but halfway through, when it has started to set, insert the coin carefully into the dough, pushing it down just below the surface. (Inserting the coin when the cake is slightly firmed will prevent it from sinking to the bottom.) Insert it anywhere except the exact center of the cake.
Continue baking until done. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Place a large plate over the top of the tapsi and invert it so the cake comes out on the plate. Take a second plate (for serving) and put it over the cake, inverting to get the cake right side up.
Allow the Vassilopita to cool for 4 hours before serving.


Topping & Decorations
(See photo) Sift confectioner's sugar to cover (decorations optional).
Coat lightly with marmelade and sprinkle with grated coconut (decorations optional).

Traditions of Cutting the Vassilopita

Each family has its own tradition for cutting the Vassilopita, however they all have one thing in common: the wish for good fortune in the new year. Traditionally, pieces are cut ceremoniously by the head of the household and allocated to the church (Holy Trinity and Virgin Mary), then the head of the household (male), his wife, their children (oldest to youngest), other family members by degree of relatedness, then guests. The coin or small medallion (flouri, pronounced floo-REE) is a tradition symbolizing an extra measure of good fortune for whoever gets the piece where it has been hidden during baking, and this can cause serious confrontation if ownership of the coin is disputed.
Therefore:

when inserting the coin, insert parallel to the way a knife will cut so it will remain in one piece;
when making the first cut, declare loudly who gets the pieces on either side of the knife so there are no disputes;
if a coin does end up between two pieces, the piece that has the larger part gets the coin.

Καλή Χρονιά! Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Monday, December 24, 2007

'Twas The Night Before Christmas


'Twas The Night Before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."


Written in 1822 by Clement C. Moore, "

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Xmas party 2007


I have been planning this for a long long time for my students, old and new. We have watched two of my favorite Christmas movies, "Scrooged" with Bill Murray and "Christmas Carol" with Patrick Stewart.

They surprised me - they brought me so many presents, for me, for Yianni, sweets, wine...

It is the first time in many years now that I feel it is Christmas. Most of the people I invited came and this means so much to me, because I love the kids so much!

Someone asked me once who my favorite student was...

My favorite students are the people who say hi to me when they see me out in the street. The people who give me a call or send me e-mails although they do not longer study with me, the people who came today...

So this post is dedicated to:

  • Elektra who couldn't come, but called me from Germany just to say hi!
  • Artemis and Juna who had been waiting for this since we finished our lessons in November
  • Christina who baked us cookies
  • Angeliki who came even for a while, although she had to go to her volleyball match
  • Konstantina and Gianni for being so kind
  • Fotini and Giorgo who came all the way from the other side of the city
  • Eva, whom I hadn't seen for such a long time
  • Marianthi and Maria, who have finished their studies with me a long time ago, but came anyway
  • Peter, although he knew he would be the only guy in the group!

A very merry Christmas to everybody and the happiest New year!


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Christmas Pudding



The Ingredients



To make 2 x 2 pound or 4 x 1 pound puddings
3 ounces of flour
5 ounces of bread crumbs
5 ounces of suet
1¼ pounds of mixed dried fruit
1 small orange
1 small lemon
1 small cooking apple
2 eggs
1 tablespoonful of treacle
½ teaspoonful of mixed spice
½ teaspoonful of cinnamon
½ teaspoonful of nutmeg
1 small carrot
6 ounces of sugar (brown or white)
4 ounces of candid peel
Pinch of salt
To make 4 x 2 pound or 8 x 1 pound puddings
5 ounces of flour
10 ounces of bread crumbs
10 ounces of suet
2½ pounds of mixed dried fruit
2 small oranges
2 small lemons
1 cooking apple
4 eggs
2 tablespoonfuls of treacle
1 teaspoonful of mixed spice
1 teaspoonful of cinnamon
1 teaspoonful of nutmeg
1 carrot
11 ounces of sugar (brown or white)
6 ounces of candid peel
1 pinch of salt



The Method of Mixture

Mix flour, bread crumbs, suet, and mixed dried fruit into a large bowl. Add grated orange and lemon rind and juice. Add grated cooking apple. Mix well. Add eggs, treacle, spices and grated carrot. Add sugar, candid peel and salt. Mix well. (Optional ingredient tablespoon of whisky or brandy).
Allow mixture to stand over night in a covered bowl.
Place mixture into well greased pudding bowls. Cover with grease proof paper and secure with string.
Pressure cook according to pressure cooker instructions.
Allow to mature for approximately one month before final serving.
The Serving
Warm through using a saucepan of water on a low heat for two hours approximately, being careful not to let any water enter the pudding or the saucepan to boil dry. DO NOT MICROWAVE.
The pudding may then be flamed at the table. Pour over the pudding two tablespoons of high proof whisky and set alight.
Ideally serve with a brandy or whisky sauce.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Weihnachtshörbücher


Die Ferien sind gekommen. Ich dachte es wäre eine gute Gelegenheit etwas zum Lesen, oder sogar zum Hören.
Ich habe diese Seite gefunden, die freie Hörbücher zum Downloaden anbietet.
http://vorleser.net/

Die Weihnachtssammlung ist besonders interessant.
http://vorleser.net/html/weihnachten_hoerbuecher.html

Viele interessante Autoren wie z.B.
- Fjodor Dostojewski
- Carl Hauptmann
- Victor Blüthgen
- Ludwig Ganghofer

und viele mehr!

Viel Spass beim Hören !!

Eggnog




6 eggs
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup brandy
1/3 cup dark rum (Captain Morgan for best flavor, but Myers is fine)
2 cups whipping cream
2 cups milk
All liquids should be very cold. Refrigerate in advance.

Beat the eggs for 2 or 3 minutes with an electric mixer at medium speed until very frothy. Gradually beat in the sugar, vanilla and nutmeg. Turn the mixer off and stir in the cold brandy, rum, whipping cream and milk Chill before serving. Sprinkle individual servings with more nutmeg.

Makes about 2-1/2 quarts.




Easy Egg Nog




Egg nog is a pretty simple drink to make. This is the perfect recipe for egg nog novices. It's non-alcoholic, so make enough to share with the kids.
INGREDIENTS:
2 eggs, beaten well
3 tbs sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp nutmeg, ground
2 1/3 cups milk
PREPARATION:
Blend all ingredients together and serve chilled.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Staristik: Was wird geschenkt?



Heute was ganz Anderes: Mein Schüler Alex diskutiert mit mir über eine Statistik die wir in http://www.deutschlern.net/ gefunden haben.



Schenken ( aus Duden)
Das Verb schenken (althochdeutsch scenken) hatte früher die Bedeutung „jemandem zu trinken geben”. Deutlich sichtbar ist dies in Wörtern, die mit dem Ort in Verbindung stehen, an dem man – gegen Bares – zu trinken bekommt: Seit dem 15. Jahrhundert gehen die Deutschen in die Schenke, etwas später dann auch in die Schankwirtschaft. Auch der Ausschank, der Schanktisch, die Schankstube und andere Zusammensetzungen dieser Art dokumentieren die alte Bedeutung. Nicht zu vergessen der Mundschenk, jener Hofbeamte, der an Fürstenhöfen für die Getränke verantwortlich war.
In mittelhochdeutscher Zeit nahm schenken die Bedeutung „einen Willkommens- oder Freundschaftstrunk anbieten” an. Dieser Trunk war natürlich gratis. Auf diesem Wege entwickelte das Verb seine heutige Bedeutung „ein Geschenk machen”.
Ursprünglich bedeutet schenken eigentlich „schief halten”. Zugrunde liegt ihm die indogermanische Wurzel [s]keng- (= schief, krumm), auf die auch die Substantive Schenkel und Schinken als Bezeichnungen für einen krummen oder gekrümmten Körperteil zurückgehen. Was beim Schenken (bzw. Einschenken) schief gehalten wurde, bedarf wohl keiner besonderen Erwähnung

We wish you a Merry Christmas


We Wish You A Merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.
Glad tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year!
We want some figgy pudding
We want some figgy pudding
We want some figgy pudding
Please bring it right here!
Glad tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year!
We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some
So bring it out here!
Glad tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year!
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.
Glad tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year!

Christmas Greetings from Angela and Konstantina





Monday, December 17, 2007

Nussplätzchen (von Vaso)


In Deutschland sind feine Nussplätzchen gebacken.
Zutaten
Mehl
1 Teelöffel Backpulver
1 Päckchen Vanillezucker
150gr Zucker
3 Tropfen Bittenmandel öl
4 Esslöffel Milch
100 gr Butter oder Margarine
200 gr gemahlene Haselnüsse und einige ganze Haselnüsse

So geht’s
Alles in eine Schüssel tun und einen Knetteig herstellen, anschließend den Teig dünn ausrollen. Steche von diesen ausgerollten Teig runde Plätzchen aus, kannst auch Herzen oder andere Motive benutzen.
Lege deine fertigen Plätzchen auf ein gefettetes Backblech und bestreiche sie mit etwas Dosenmilch.
Jetzt nur noch die Haselnusskerne in die Mitte drucken.
Bei 190° ca. 15 Minuten goldgelb backen.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Die Weihnachtsmaus von James Krüss



Die Weihnachtsmaus ist sonderbar
(Sogar fόr die Gelehrten);
Denn einmal nur im ganzen Jahr
Entdeckt man ihre Fährten.

Mit Fallen oder Rattengift
Kann man die Maus nicht fangen.
Sie ist, was diesen Punkt betrifft,
Noch nie ins Garn gegangen.

Das ganze Jahr macht diese Maus
Den Menschen keine Plage.
Doch plötzlich aus dem Loch heraus
Kriecht sie am Weihnachtstage.



Zum Beispiel war vom Festgebäck,
Das Mutter gut verborgen,
Mit einem Mal das Beste weg
Am ersten Weihnachtsmorgen.

Da sagte jeder rundheraus:
Ich hab es nicht genommen!
Es war bestimmt die Weihnachtsmaus,
Die über Nacht gekommen.

Ein andres Mal verschwand sogar
Das Marzipan vom Peter,
Was seltsam und erstaunlich war;
Denn niemand fand es später.

Der Christian rief rundheraus:
Ich hab es nicht genommen!
Es war bestimmt die Weihnachtsmaus,
Die über Nacht gekommen.

Ein drittes Mal verschwand vom Baum,
And dem die Kugeln hingen,
Ein Weihnachtsmann aus Eierschaum
Nebst andren leckren Dingen.

Die Nelly sagte rundheraus:
Ich habe nichts genommen!
Es war bestimmt die Weihnachtsmaus,
Die über Nacht gekommen.

Und Ernst und Hans und der Papa,
Die riefen: Welche Plage!
Die boese Maus ist wieder da.
Und just am Feiertage.

Nur Mutter sprach kein Klagewort.
Sie sagte unumwunden:
Sind erst die Süßigkeiten fort,
Ist auch die Maus verschwunden.

Und wirklich wahr:
Die Maus blieb weg,
Sobald der Baum geleert war,
Sobald das letzte Festgebäck
Gegessen und verzehrt war.


Sagt jemand nun, bei ihm zu Haus,
Bei Fränzchen oder Lieschen,
Da gäb es keine Weihnachtsmaus,
Dann zweifle ich ein bisschen.

Doch sag ich nichts, was jemand kränkt.
Das könnte euch so passen.
Was man von Weihnachtsmausen denkt,
Bleibt jedem überlassen.




(Jenny, vielen Dank!!)

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Weihnachten in Griechenland (von Vaso)

Weihnachten ist der Tag wann Christus geboren war und es ist am fünfundzwanzigsten Dezember gefeiert.
In meinem Heimatland war ein Schiff geschmückt aber heute schmückt die Mehrheit der Leute ein Baum anstatt.
Dieser Baum kann entweder natürlich oder künstlich sein.



Am Heiligabend sitzt die ganze Familie vor dem geschmückten, beleuchteten Baum und diskutiert oder hört schöne Weihnachtslieder.
Diesen Tag rasen viele Kinder und Jugendlichen durch die Strassen und singen Weihnachtslieder. Die Leute geben ihnen Geld. Früher war das Geschenk kein Geld, sondern Kuchen, Obst usw.





Am Weihnachtsmittag gibt es ein festliches Essen. Bei manchen ist es Gans oder Wildschwein oder Rehrücken.
Nach dem Essen gibt es schmackhafte Kuchen.
Ein sehre beliebtes Kuchen hier in Griechenland ist Brückeberger. Man braucht dazu Butter, Zucker, Vanille, Salz und Mehl.

Nach Weihnachten warten alle auf den Silvesterabend. Alle denken an viel Sekt, viel Musik und viel Tanzen.
Sankt Basil bringt allen Kindern Geschenke am ersten Januar und alle sind sehr froh.

Am Silvesterabend gibt es einen Brauch. Alle essen ein Stück Neujahrsbrezel und die Person die die Mütze findet, hat Glueck das ganze Jahr.
Diesen Tag singen Kinder Neujahrslieder.



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Weihnachtsgrüsse von Giorgo und Fotini


Von Giorgo

von Fotini

Friday, December 14, 2007

O Christmas Tree - O Tannenbaum






O Christmas Tree
English Version 1
Author unknown

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!
In beauty green will always grow
Through summer sun and winter snow.
O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
You are the tree most loved!
How often you give us delight
In brightly shining Christmas light!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
You are the tree most loved!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Your beauty green will teach me
That hope and love will ever be
The way to joy and peace for me.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Your beauty green will teach me.






O Christmas Tree
English Version 2
Author unknown

O Christmas Tree,
O Christmas Tree,
How steadfast are your branches!
Your boughs are green in summer's clime
And through the snows of wintertime.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How steadfast are your branches!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
What happiness befalls me
when oft at joyous Christmas-time
Your form inspires my song and rhyme.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,



What happiness befalls me
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your boughs can teach a lesson
That constant faith and hope sublime
Lend strength and comfort through all time.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your boughs can teach a lesson

The English Tannenbaum lyrics above represent just two of many traditional and contemporary English versions of “O Christmas Tree.” The English lyrics above follow the original German fairly closely, but there are at least a dozen different English versions of “O Christmas Tree” (not counting parodies) — most by unknown authors. The traditional melody of “O Tannenbaum” has also found use in non-Christmas songs. Four U.S. states (Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, and New Jersey) have borrowed the melody for their state song.




Deutsch
Tannenbaum
TEXT: Ernst Anschütz, 1824
MELODIE: Volksweise (traditional)


O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit,
Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit
Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Dein Kleid will mich was lehren:
Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit
Gibt Trost und Kraft zu jeder Zeit.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Das soll dein Kleid mich lehren.


A Tannenbaum is a fir tree (die Tanne) or Christmas tree (der Weihnachtsbaum). Although most Christmas trees today are Fichten (spruce) rather than Tannen, the qualities of the evergreen have inspired musicians to write several “Tannenbaum” songs in German over the years. The best known version (above) was penned in 1824 by a Leipzig organist named Ernst Anschütz. The melody is an old folk tune. The first known “Tannenbaum” song lyrics date back to 1550. A similar 1615 song by Melchior Franck (1573-1639) goes: “Ach Tannebaum, ach Tannebaum, du bist ein edler Zweig! Du grünest uns den Winter, die lieben Sommerzeit.”
For more German christmas songs:
Christmas carols in English:

Thursday, December 13, 2007

The symbols and traditions of Christmas








The Christmas Tree

The Christmas Tree originated in Germany in the 16th century. It was common for the Germanic people to decorate fir trees, both inside and out, with roses, apples, and coloured paper. It is believed that Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, was the first to light a Christmas tree with candles. While coming home one dark winter's night near Christmas, he was struck with the beauty of the starlight shining through the branches of a small fir tree outside his home. He duplicated the starlight by using candles attached to the branches of his indoor Christmas tree. The Christmas tree was not widely used in Britain until the 19th century. It was brought to America by the Pennsylvania Germans in the 1820's.





Xmas

This abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ's name, "X" in place of the word Christ in Christmas as a shorthand form of the word. Although the early Christians understood that X stood for Christ's name, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook "Xmas" as a sign of disrespect.





The Candy Cane

In the late 1800's a candy maker in Indiana wanted to express the meaning of Christmas through a symbol made of candy. He came up with the idea of bending one of his white candy sticks into the shape of a Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols of Christ's love and sacrifice through the Candy Cane. First, he used a plain white peppermint stick. The colour white symbolizes the purity and sinless nature of Jesus. Next, he added three small stripes to symbolize the pain inflicted upon Jesus before His death on the cross. There are three of them to represent the Holy Trinity. He added a bold stripe to represent the blood Jesus shed for mankind. When looked at with the crook on top, it looks like a shepherd's staff because Jesus is the shepherd of man. If you turn it upside down, it becomes the letter J symbolizing the first letter in Jesus' name. The candy maker made these candy canes for Christmas, so everyone would remember what Christmas is all about.

Spitzgebäck by Christina

Ingredients

250 gr butter
250 gr sugar
1 egg
200 gr hazelnuts
1 P. Vanilla sugar
375 gr flour



Preparation

In the beginning you mix all the ingredients together until they become a paste. Then you put it into the refrigerator for half an hour.
Afterwards you cut the paste into pieces.


Then you put one by one into the machine and you start turning the handle.

The paste comes out in the shape of a star.
We cut this into little pieces and join the ends together so in the end it looks like a circle.


After that we bale it for 10 minutes in the oven.





The temperature should be around 175 – 200C




In the end you can melt chocolate and pour it in the cookies, so you can have a variety of tastes.













Note: Christina not only wrote the recipie, but also made the cookies and took the pictures herself!!









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