2021

 

2020 was a nightmare, healthwise.  It was like a world war where millions of innocent people were attacked and died from the coronavirus. The most dramatic part is that the sick were extremely lonely as they were not allowed to see their loved ones, because a very rigid quarantine was imposed on them to prevent the spread of this fatal disease. 

 

Also, it is profoundly tragic for close relatives who could not take care of or bid farewell to their sick or dying dearest ones.

 

However, we are extremely satisfied and relieved that the anti-coronavirus vaccine will be available for the broad public, internationally, by August or September 2021.  Our sincere thanks and admiration for the scientists that made this possible, saving the world from this deadly virus.

 

A very happy 2021 and may it bring health, happiness, courage, and progress to the whole of mankind.  And above all, we wish that this year, there will be no sick, unhappy or abused children in this world because they are the future of the universe.

 

Here are the lyrics of a song we used to sing at 12 midnight of the 31^st December – 1^st January, to celebrate the coming of the New Year:

 

                                            Should auld acquaintance be forgot

                                            And never brought to mind

                                            Should auld acquaintance be forgot

                                            For auld lang syne.

 

                                           For auld lang syne, my friend

                                           For auld lang syne

                                           We’ll take a cup of kindness yet

                                           For auld lang syne…..

                                           (By Robert Burns, 1788.)        

                                                            VASILOPITA

The 1^st of January is St Basil’s day in the Greek Orthodox Church. As Basil is Vasilis in Greek the celebration cake is called Vasilopita.  Here is the recipe:

 

5 eggs, separated

1 pinch of salt

300 g (1 ½ cup) sugar, separated

250 g (8.3 oz) suft butter

The zest of 1 orange

390 g (1 ½ cup) plain flour sifted with

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 tsp ginger powder

1 tsp cinnamon powder

¼ tsp cloves powder

1 tsp grated nutmeg

250 ml (1 cup) orange juice

1 liqueur glass Grand Marnier

Icing sugar for garnish

 

Preheat the oven to 180 C (350 F). Also, brush the sides of round baking dish with butter, dust with flour and line the base with buttered baking parchment.

 

First, whip the egg whites with a pinch of salt to the soft peak stage.  Then add ½ a cup of sugar by the spoonful, whipping after each addition until the egg whites are stiff and shiny.

 

Beat the butter with the orange zest and the remaining sugar until light and fluffy, add the yolks, one at a time, whipping after each addition, until doubled in bulk.  

Add the flour mixture in three portions alternately with the orange juice and Grand Marnier.    Fold in ¼ of the whipped egg whites in the batter to lighten it a little, then fold in the remaining whipped egg whites until well combined.

 

Scrape the batter into the prepared tin, and bake for 35-40 minutes until the cake is golden brown and a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.  

 

Reverse it on a pretty dish to cool.  Insert the coin, and sprinkle lavishly with icing sugar. You could form the number of the year with butter icing if you wish.