2NT PRIMARY OF IALISOS RHODES GREECE

CHRISTMAS RECIPES

Greek Christmas Cookies (Kourambiedes)

Ingredients 3 sticks unsalted butter, soft 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 cup powdered sugar , plus

additional for coating 1 egg yolk 2 tablespoons brandy 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour , sifted About 45 whole cloves

Directions

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the butter and salt and whip until

light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the sugar, egg, brandy, and vanilla and beat until all of the ingredients are

integrated. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add sifted flour to the butter mixture. Using a rubber spatula, remove the dough and transfer it onto a piece of waxed paper or parchment. Refrigerate for about 45 minutes

before rolling.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

After the dough has cooled, pinch off small pieces and roll them into about 1-inch balls. Place them in a single layer with space in between each, on a greased baking sheet.

Repeat the process until all of the cookie dough has been rolled. Place a clove in the center of each cookie.

Alternatively, shape the ball into half moons with a clove in the center of each.

Place the sheets in the oven and bake until the cookies are just slightly brown, about 15 minutes. Allow them to cool thoroughly, and then roll them in powdered sugar.

Vasilopita, New Year's Cake in Greece

vasilopitaVasilopita is the Greek New Year's cake.

Vasilopita is associated with Saint Basil's day on January 1 in Greece.

On New Year's Day families cut the Vasilopita to bless the house and bring good luck for the new

year.It is traditional to bake a coin into the Vasilopita

(St. Basil's cake). The one who receives the coin is considered to be especially blessed for the year. A

piece of cake is sliced for each member of the family and any visitors present at the time. Slices are also cut for various other people or groups,

depending on local and family tradition. They may include St. Basil and other saints, the Virgin Mary,

the Church and the poor.Vasilopita is made in honor of a beautiful act of charity by St. Basil to the poor and needy of his

flock. In order to insure that the needy would have money for life's necessities, and knowing that the needy were also proud people, St. Basil had the ladies of his church bake sweet bread with coins baked into them. In this way he could give them

money without demeaning them at all.

Vasilopita Recipe

INGREDIENTS :1 cup fresh milk2 teaspoons yeast4 eggs, separated1 cup milk-butter, melted1 ½ cup sugar1 envelope mahlepi, crushedZest of 1 lemon1 level teaspoon salt1 kilo flourHandful of blanched almonds

Preheat oven to 180c•  In a large tub pour half a cup of lukewarm milk and dissolve the yeast in it. Add ½ cup flour and stir to mix. Cover with a towel and let rise in a

warm place for about an hour.•  While the dough is rising, beat the egg yokes

with the sugar in an electric mixer or food processor and set aside. Beat the egg whites into a

meringue. To the risen dough, add yoke/sugar mixture, the remainder of the milk, the meringue,

butter, mahlepi and zest. Knead until all is well mixed, adding the remainder of the flour a little at a time so the dough won't be too tight. Shape the

dough into several balls, place in a bowl, cover it with a towel and leave in a warm place for about 3

hours until it doubles in size.•  Knead the dough for 5 minutes more and place in a large round oiled pan (or two smaller ones)

and leave covered in a warm place until it doubles in size again.

•  Before placing in oven, beat the yoke of 1 egg with a teaspoon of water and brush it on the dough

with a pastry brush. Then, using the blanched almonds, form the "new" date on the top of the dough. Bake for about 30/40 minutes, or until

Vasilopita looks well browned.

Christmas Sweets (Melomakarona)Ingredients

2 cups olive oil 3/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup orange juice 1/4 cup brandy 7-8 cups sifted flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon soda

For the syrup : 2 cups honey 2 cups sugar

2 cups water

Beat together the first 4 ingredients. Sift flour, baking powder and soda 3 times. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the oil mixture and stir gently. Pinch of small portions of dough the size of an egg and form into little patties. Roll them to make oblong rolls. Place on ungreased baking sheet and bake in a moderate oven for 30 minutes. Boil honey, sugar and water for 5 minutes. Pour syrup over melomakarona. Allow 15 minutes to soak. Take them out of the syrup and place on a large plate. Sprinkle with shopped walnuts and cinnamon. Makes 40 servings.

Good luck!!!

MERRY CHRISTMASAND

A HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!