2021
Christmas bakery in Friedrich-Elvers-Schule - Heide, Germany
Traditional Slovenian Christmas cake - Potica, OŠ dr. Ljudevita Pivka Ptuj, Slovenia
Walnut cake - POTICA
One of the biggest Slovenian Christmas traditions is the baking of POTICA.
Slovenian potica consists of a rolled pastry made of leavened paper-thin dough filled with any of a great variety of fillings, but most often with walnut filling.
The most characteristic Slovenian poticas are made with ground walnut, tarragon, quark, hazelnut, pumpkin seed or poppy seed. It is a festive pastry and could be baked in two ways: in the oven or directly on the hearth, but original Slovenska potica is a ring-shaped pastry, baked always in the special shaped potica baking mould (ceramic, glass or tin one), called potičnik, which has a conical protrusion in the middle.
Walnut cake - POTICA
One of the biggest Slovenian Christmas traditions is the baking of POTICA.
Slovenian potica consists of a rolled pastry made of leavened paper-thin dough filled with any of a great variety of fillings, but most often with walnut filling.
The most characteristic Slovenian poticas are made with ground walnut, tarragon, quark, hazelnut, pumpkin seed or poppy seed. It is a festive pastry and could be baked in two ways: in the oven or directly on the hearth, but original Slovenska potica is a ring-shaped pastry, baked always in the special shaped potica baking mould (ceramic, glass or tin one), called potičnik, which has a conical protrusion in the middle.
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Ingridients Dough: • 1kg of smooth flour • 450 ml of milk • 100g of butter • 100g of sugar • 2 egg yolks • A pinch of salt • lemon peel • 1 cube of yeast The process of preparing the dough 1. Pour the flour into a bowl and add salt. Make a small hole in the flour in which you grind the yeast and add a little lukewarm milk, add a teaspoon of sugar. Stir and let the yeast rise. About 10 minutes. 2. Separate the yolks from the whites. Mix the yolks with the sugar. Add butter, lukewarm milk and grated lemon zest. 3. Add the resulting mixture to the yeast flour. Mix everything well and knead into a dough. Let rise for about 40 minutes. |
Stuffing: • 1 kg of ground walnuts • 450 ml of milk • 350 g of sugar • 3 tablespoons honey • 100 g of melted butter • 2 proteins (egg white) • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • lemon peel The process of preparing the filling 1. Add sugar to the egg whites and beat them in the snow. 2. Pour the walnuts into a large bowl and pour boiling milk over them. Add melted butter, honey and cinnamon. Grate the lemon zest and add it to the mixture. 3. Mix everything well, add snow and mix lightly. |
Assembling the incentive
1. Divide the dough into two parts. First roll out one and then the other half of the dough to a thickness of 4 mm. Coat the rolled dough with half of the filling.
2. Wrap the potica and place it in a baking dish lined with baking paper or coated with butter and sprinkled with flour. Pierce the rolled potica. Then rise covered for about 30 minutes.
3. Coat the potica with beaten egg. Place the pan in a preheated oven. Bake at 180 ° C for about 40 minutes until golden brown.
4. Turn the baked potica on a wooden base, cover it and leave it to cool.
We invite you to try to bake a potica together with your students. In the attached video you can see how our students baked potica just for you during the household lessons.
We look forward to seeing your products.
1. Divide the dough into two parts. First roll out one and then the other half of the dough to a thickness of 4 mm. Coat the rolled dough with half of the filling.
2. Wrap the potica and place it in a baking dish lined with baking paper or coated with butter and sprinkled with flour. Pierce the rolled potica. Then rise covered for about 30 minutes.
3. Coat the potica with beaten egg. Place the pan in a preheated oven. Bake at 180 ° C for about 40 minutes until golden brown.
4. Turn the baked potica on a wooden base, cover it and leave it to cool.
We invite you to try to bake a potica together with your students. In the attached video you can see how our students baked potica just for you during the household lessons.
We look forward to seeing your products.
December activities in Tomislav Špoljar school, Varaždin, Croatia
Every year, students mark International Day of Disabled Persons by going to the cinema. The same happened this year as well. The students saw one of three different movies, depending on their age.
In anticipation of the holidays, the students decorated the school and are now enjoying the holiday spirit.
At north west part of Croatia, the traditional Christmas meal is turkey with mlinci (traditional homemade pasta). Watch how the oldest students of the Centre prepared it.
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Northern Ireland are learning about the Vikings and making Apple Crumble
This is the easiest apple crumble recipe and an all-time favourite quick and easy dessert.
Ingredients:
For the crumble
- 200g/7oz unsalted butter at room temperature, cubed, plus a little for greasing
For the filling
- 450g/1lb apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1cm/½in pieces
- 50g/2oz brown sugar
Ingredients:
For the crumble
- 300g/10½oz plain flour, sieved pinch of salt
- 200g/7oz unsalted butter at room temperature, cubed, plus a little for greasing
For the filling
- 450g/1lb apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1cm/½in pieces
- 50g/2oz brown sugar
Recipes from Austria
UROMAS VANILLA KIPFERL
Ingredients
250 g flour
210 g butter
100 g almond(s), ground
80 g sugar
2 pck. vanilla sugar
1 pck. icing sugar, for turning
2 pck. vanilla sugar, for turning
Preparation
Knead the ingredients for the dough well together. Then place wrapped in foil in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
In the meantime, sieve the icing sugar into a large, closable bowl and mix with two packets of vanilla sugar. The closable bowl is so important because you may be able to reuse leftovers for the next serving of vanilla kipferl.
Form the kipferlteig into rolls with an approximate diameter of 4 cm. Then cut into slices about 1 - 2 cm thick. Form the Kipferl from these slices and do not place them too close to each other on a tray covered with baking paper. Bake in a convection oven at 175 °C for about 10-15 minutes. When the kipferl begin to tan, they are good.
Let the Kipferl cool for about 3 minutes. Then place in the prepared icing sugar mixture and turn from all sides in it. If they are still too warm now, they break very easily; if they are too cold, the icing sugar no longer adheres well. It is best to try again and again whether they are already firm enough.
Ingredients
250 g flour
210 g butter
100 g almond(s), ground
80 g sugar
2 pck. vanilla sugar
1 pck. icing sugar, for turning
2 pck. vanilla sugar, for turning
Preparation
Knead the ingredients for the dough well together. Then place wrapped in foil in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
In the meantime, sieve the icing sugar into a large, closable bowl and mix with two packets of vanilla sugar. The closable bowl is so important because you may be able to reuse leftovers for the next serving of vanilla kipferl.
Form the kipferlteig into rolls with an approximate diameter of 4 cm. Then cut into slices about 1 - 2 cm thick. Form the Kipferl from these slices and do not place them too close to each other on a tray covered with baking paper. Bake in a convection oven at 175 °C for about 10-15 minutes. When the kipferl begin to tan, they are good.
Let the Kipferl cool for about 3 minutes. Then place in the prepared icing sugar mixture and turn from all sides in it. If they are still too warm now, they break very easily; if they are too cold, the icing sugar no longer adheres well. It is best to try again and again whether they are already firm enough.
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NUT-NOUGAT-CHRISTMASTREE
Preparation: Turn on the oven to 180 degrees. Put one puff pastry on your countertop und coat it with the nut-nougat-cream. Now you can put on the second puff pastry on top. Cut it like a christmas tree und roll in the ends of the tree (like in the picture). Put on some egg yolk with a pastry brush and then put it into the oven for about 15 minutes. At the end you can sprinkle some powdered sugar on the tree. Ready! Ingredients: - 2 pieces of puff pastry - Nut-Nougat-Cream - powdered sugar - egg yolk |
SHORTCRUST COOKIES
Put the sugar, the vanilla sugar and the butter into a bowl. Now you have to put the egg, the flour and the salt to the other ingredients in the bowl and model a fine dough with your hands. If you are ready put the dough in a bowl and than into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. After that you can spread some flour onto you countertop and model the dough once again. With a rolling pin you roll out the dough and with different cookie cutters you can now cut out some christmas figures. Put the cookies on a baking sheet and after that into the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes with 180 degrees. Ready! Ingredients: - 100 gram sugar - 2 tablespoons vanilla sugar - 200 gram butter - 300 gram flour - 1 egg - 1 pinch of salt |
Slovenia
Today's Christmas time in many Slovenian schools is still dedicated to writing and sending greeting cards, decorating the school space and the Christmas tree.
An important role is played by children, who, with the help of teachers, diligently make greeting cards, school decorations and hang ornaments on trees.
Our students traditionally make various Christmas and New Year decorations, which they then offer to the people of Ptuj at the school stand. The voluntary contributions that are collected are used for school activities.
In the attached video, you can see what all our students did and what products were created in the end.
Dear partners, You will also receive our Christmas cards,
WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
An important role is played by children, who, with the help of teachers, diligently make greeting cards, school decorations and hang ornaments on trees.
Our students traditionally make various Christmas and New Year decorations, which they then offer to the people of Ptuj at the school stand. The voluntary contributions that are collected are used for school activities.
In the attached video, you can see what all our students did and what products were created in the end.
Dear partners, You will also receive our Christmas cards,
WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Christmas Dinner in the UK
In the UK many people vary their starters and pudding. We usually have turkey, sausages, roast potatoes, creamed potatoes, brussel sprouts or peas, glazed carrots and parsnips, gravy and cranberry sauce.
I have included the menu for our school dinner dinner which our pupils will eat on the 8th December 2021.
I have included the menu for our school dinner dinner which our pupils will eat on the 8th December 2021.
The Galway Christmas Markets
Ireland makes traditional Christmas Cake
Christmas Holidays in Slovenia: Habits, Customs, and Events- Ljudevita Pivka Ptuj, Slovenia
Christmas is a Time for Family
Sveti večer: Christmas Eve
Christmas is the special time of the year when the whole family gathers together. In general, Slovenians tend to stay at home on the Christmas Eve. The Christmas tree will receive its first decoration if the family has not added the decor just yet.
Like most European countries, most families and friends celebrate the 24th together with a special meal. Depending on the family, they will have some mulled wine as the beverage of choice. For the dishes, several types of meat and pastries will be available.
Roast meats like turkey is a staple food, including pastries like POTICA AND CHRISTMAS FRUIT BREAD OR BOŽIČNI KRUH. Božični kruh comes from the stollen or the Weihnachtsstollen from German traditions.
Christmas is a Time for Family
Sveti večer: Christmas Eve
Christmas is the special time of the year when the whole family gathers together. In general, Slovenians tend to stay at home on the Christmas Eve. The Christmas tree will receive its first decoration if the family has not added the decor just yet.
Like most European countries, most families and friends celebrate the 24th together with a special meal. Depending on the family, they will have some mulled wine as the beverage of choice. For the dishes, several types of meat and pastries will be available.
Roast meats like turkey is a staple food, including pastries like POTICA AND CHRISTMAS FRUIT BREAD OR BOŽIČNI KRUH. Božični kruh comes from the stollen or the Weihnachtsstollen from German traditions.
Christmas Tree Decoration Modern Dinner Traditional Dinner
During this time, families will have several activities, depending on how modern they are. Olden families usually attend a midnight mass and then will sleep off after the event.
They usually visit their family and friends during the day. They would also bring each other presents and enjoy the special holiday delights.
A modern tradition has also evolved. Nowadays, Slovenians tend to go for a walk around nature on the Christmas day. It’s great to be free from the technological burdens of the daily life for at least a day.
The period around Christmas is a time for us to reflect on the past year and to be surrounded with people we love. It is also the time to leave everything bad and negative behind, and to focus on a new start.
They usually visit their family and friends during the day. They would also bring each other presents and enjoy the special holiday delights.
A modern tradition has also evolved. Nowadays, Slovenians tend to go for a walk around nature on the Christmas day. It’s great to be free from the technological burdens of the daily life for at least a day.
The period around Christmas is a time for us to reflect on the past year and to be surrounded with people we love. It is also the time to leave everything bad and negative behind, and to focus on a new start.
Midnight Mass
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Christmas Presents
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Christmas Walk
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Pupils and teachers of the primary school dr. Ljudevita Pivka Ptuj wish you a
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Galway Makes Mince-pies
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Kayleigh and Senior 6 made mince pies this week. These are traditionally served warm with cream or brandy cream.
Ingredients For the pastry 175g plain flour 75g cold butter, cubed 25g icing sugar, plus extra for dusting 1 free-range egg, beaten For the filling 250g good-quality ready-made mincemeat (or see homemade recipe attached) |
Recipe for Mincemeat
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