Χριστούγεννα στην Αγγλία
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"Dear all, We have made mince pies in class. I have posted some pictures. These are a traditional food eaten at Christmas time. It is also popular to leave a mince pie for Santa on Christmas Eve. Ingredients • 225g cold butter , diced • 350g plain flour • 100g golden caster sugar • 280g mincemeat ( this is sweet apples and raisins not meat) • 1 small egg • icing sugar , to dust 1. To make the pastry, rub 225g cold, diced butter into 350g plain flour, then mix in 100g golden caster sugar and a pinch of salt. Combine the pastry into a ball - don't add liquid - and knead it briefly. The dough will be fairly firm, like shortbread dough. You can use the dough immediately, or chill for later. 2. Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C. Line 18 holes of two 12-hole patty tins, by pressing small walnut-sized balls of pastry into each hole. Spoon 280g mincemeat into the pies. 3. Take slightly smaller balls of pastry than before and pat them out between your hands to make round lids, big enough to cover the pies. Top the pies with their lids, pressing the edges gently together to seal - you don't need to seal them with milk or egg as they will stick on their own. (The pies may now be frozen for up to 1 month). 4. Beat 1 small egg and brush the tops of the pies. Bake for 20 minutes until golden. Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack. To serve, lightly dust with icing sugar. They will keep for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container."
HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM ROMANIA
" From home to home
And heart to heart
From one place to another.
The warmth and joy of Christmas,
Bring us closer to each other.
Happy Christmas! "
Χριστούγεννα στην Πολωνία
Everyone loves Christmas. It is the favourite and most eagerly awaited holiday in the year. This is a unique time when people try to be kind, friendly and generous to one another. They seem to forget all their problems, quarrels and just enjoy being together. Christmas is preceded by many days of preparation. Streets are lit by coloured lamps; shops are full of people buying presents, choosing Christmas cards; Christmas trees are set up in every home and decorated with sparkling tinsel, candles, chains, toys and trinkets. The atmosphere of excitement and expectation can be felt almost everywhere. The day preceding Christmas is a unique one. It’s believed that everything that might happen on it might influence the whole year to come. Much attention, for instance, is paid to the person, who first enters the house and if it is a man, he ensures welfare to all members of the family. Some people say that if you ask for food on that day, you will be hungry throughout the year. The moment everyone waits for is Christmas Eve. When the first star appears in the sky, people take their seats at the Christmas table. They do not forget to leave an empty place for an unexpected quest. The table is covered with a white tablecloth and hay is spread on it.
Another custom is the number of dishes. Traditionally there should be twelve of them and they must all be tasted. The most popular dishes are red bosch, pies or sour cabbage with mushrooms, fish (usually carp) and poppy-seed cake. Before the family starts eating, all its members share the holy wafer. There is also a custom of giving presents and everyone may find something nice under the Christmas tree. At midnight many people go to church to attend a special mass during which Christmas carols are sung. This night is miraculous because it is believed that animals can speak with human voices. The first day of Christmas, 25 December, is usually spent at home. Work is forbidden. On this day carol-singers dressed as an angel, a devil, King Herod or Death visit people’s houses. They sing carols and play various scenes from the Bible. The second day of Christmas is spent in a different way. People visit one another, spend much time at the table talking or singing carols. From that day the festivities begin.
Christmas for Polish people is not only the yearly celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ but also the most familiar, traditional and joyful time of happiness and reconciliation. The birth of Jesus Christ is regarded as a kind of symbol which heralds the days of peace and love.
Seasons greetings and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year!
Children and teachers from Kingergarten “Panda”
παραδοσιακές χριστουγεννιάτικες συνταγές φαγητών και γλυκών
| christmas_recipes_from_poland.doc |
Χριστούγεννα στην Ουγγαρία
"Our favourite christmas cake:
Poppy-seed roll INGREDIENTS: 1/2 pound poppy seeds 3/4 cup white sugar 1 tablespoon butter, melted 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/2 cup hot milk 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast 1/2 cup warm water (100 degrees F/38 degrees C) 2 tablespoons white sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour, or more if needed 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup butter 1 egg, separated - white reserved
DIRECTIONS: 1. Place poppy seeds into a food processor and process until seeds are ground, about 1 minute. 2. Mix poppy seeds with 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon melted butter, lemon juice, and hot milk in a bowl; stir to combine. Cover poppy seed filling and refrigerate while making bread (filling will set up and thicken as it chills). 3. Mix yeast with water and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl. Allow to stand until the yeast forms a creamy layer. 4. Whisk flour with salt in a bowl; use a pastry cutter to cut 1/4 cup butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 5. Pour yeast mixture and egg yolk into flour mixture and stir to make a soft dough. 6. Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and knead until smooth and slightly springy, about 5 minutes. If dough is too sticky, knead in more flour, about 2 tablespoons at a time. 7. Cut dough into 2 equal pieces. Roll each piece out into a 12x16-inch rectangle. 8. Spread half the poppy seed filling over each rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border. Fold the 1-inch border back over the filling on all sides and press down. 9. Pick up the shorter side of a dough rectangle and roll it like a jelly roll; repeat with second rectangle. Pinch ends together or tuck ends under to prevent filling from leaking out. 10. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; place rolls seam sides down on the baking sheet and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. 11. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)."
