(no subject)

[nverland]

WOLFGANG'S SACHERTORTE
Serves 10

CAKE:
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, cut into pieces
3 ounces unsalted butter, plus extra for buttering
4 cage-free egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
5 cage-free egg whites
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup all-purpose flour, sifted, plus extra for flouring

APRICOT FILLING:
1 cup apricot preserves
1 tablespoon apricot brandy

GLAZE:
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, cut into pieces
1 ounce unsalted butter
2 ounces heavy cream

WHIPPED CREAM:
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan.

For the cake, bring 2 inches of water to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Put the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl large enough to fit inside the rim without touching the water. Melt, stirring, until smooth. Set aside to cool.

In a stand mixer with the wire whisk attachment, or in a mixing bowl using a hand-held electric mixer, on medium speed beat the yolks with 2 tablespoons of sugar until the mixture looks ribbony. Beat in the melted chocolate-butter mixture until fully incorporated. Set aside.

In another bowl, using an absolutely clean whisk attachment or beaters, beat together the egg whites and salt until they form softly drooping peaks. Continue beating while slowly pouring in the remaining sugar, until stiff peaks form. With a rubber spatula, fold in the flour.

Add one third of the whites to the chocolate mixture, folding in gently. Then, gently but thoroughly fold in the remaining whites. Pour and scrape the batter into the prepared springform pan.

Bake for about 40 minutes, until a paring knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven, put on a wire rack, and carefully remove the rim. Leave the cake to cool completely.

For the filling, put the apricot preserves in a food processor and process until smoothly pureed. Pulse in the brandy. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

To cut the cake into layers, horizontally insert 8 toothpicks equally spaced halfway up all around its side. Following the toothpicks, use a long, sharp, serrated knife in a gentle sawing motion to cut two equal layers, turning the cake as necessary while slicing. Carefully slide a rimless cookie sheet or clean, sturdy cardboard under the top layer and lift it off. Remove the toothpicks.

With a spatula, spread the bottom layer with two-thirds of the apricot filling. Slide on the top layer. Evenly spread the top and sides with the remaining filling. Chill for at least 30 minutes.

For the glaze, melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over simmering water the same way you did for the cake batter. In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a boil. Stir into the melted chocolate. Set aside to cool until thick but still fluid. With an icing spatula, spread the glaze evenly over the top and side. Chill for at least 30 minutes.

Before serving, put the cream in a mixing bowl and beat until thick and ribbony. Sprinkle in the sugar and continue beating until the cream forms soft, drooping peaks.

To serve, cut the cake into thin wedges with a sharp knife. Garnish with whipped cream.





Christmas in United States of America


Santa Claus was born in US in the 1860's he was named this as he had a white beard and a belly, so he was named Santa Claus as this was the Dutch word for St Nicholas, Sintaklaas. Although the Dutch had bought him with them in the 17th century, he did not become an important person at Christmas until the Novelist Washington Irving put him in a novel that he wrote in 1809. This first Santa Claus was still known as St. Nicholas, he did smoke a pipe, and fly around in a wagon without any reindeer, but he did not have his red suit or live at the North Pole, he did however bring presents to children every year.

In 1863 He was given the name Santa Claus and bore the red suit, pipe, and his reindeer and sleigh.

Now Christmas celebrations vary greatly between regions of the United States, because of the variety of nationalities which have settled in it.

In Pennsylvania, the Moravians build a landscape, called a putz - under the Christmas tree, while in the same state the Germans are given gifts by Belsnickle, who taps them with his switch if they have misbehaved.

Early European settlers brought many traditions to the United States. Many settled in the early days in the South, these settlers would send Christmas greetings to their distant neighbors by shooting firearms and letting off fireworks. In Hawaii this practice is still in use as under the sunny skies, Santa Claus arrives by boat and Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors.

In Alaska, a star on a pole is taken from door to door, followed by Herod's Men, who try to capture the star. Colonial doorways are often decorated with pineapple, a symbol of hospitality.

In Alaska, boys and girls with lanterns on poles carry a large figure of a star from door to door. They sing carols and are invited in for supper.

In Washington D.C., a huge, spectacular tree is lit ceremoniously when the President presses a button and turns on the tree's lights.

In Boston, carol singing festivities are famous. The singers are accompanied by hand bells.

In New Orleans, a huge ox is paraded around the streets decorated with holly and with ribbons tied to its horns.

In Arizona, the Mexican ritual called Las Posadas is kept up. This is a ritual procession and play representing the search of Mary and Joseph for a room at the inn. Families play the parts and visit each other's houses enacting and re-enacting the drama and, at the same time, having a look at each family's crib.

In Hawaii, Christmas starts with the coming of the Christmas Tree Ship, which is a ship bringing a great load of Christmas fare. Santa Claus also arrives by boat.

In California, Santa Claus sweeps in on a surf board.

In America the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert it is rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Mince pies, pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried fruit.

The majority of Americans celebrate Christmas with the exchange of gifts and greetings and with family visits. For many, the day begins on Christmas Eve with the Midnight Mass. At Christmas it snows in many states, so dinner is usually eaten indoors. Dinner usually is roast turkey, goose, duck or ham served with cranberry sauce, then plum pudding or pumpkin pie followed by nuts and fruit.

American homes are decorated with holly, mistletoe and branches of trees, most have a Christmas tree hung with electric lights, tinsel, baubles, and strings of popcorn and candy canes.

In Colorado, an enormous star is placed on the mountain, it can be seen for many kilometers around, while in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a star is lit in early December.

Polish Americans on Christmas Eve spread hay on their kitchen floor and under the tablecloth to remind them of a stable and a manger. When they make up the table for dinner two extra places are set up for Mary and the Christ Child in case they should knock at the door to ask for shelter.

In Philadelphia, a procession called a mummers parade runs for a whole day with bands, dancers and people in fancy dress.

There are two homes for Santa Claus in the United States one is in Torrington, Connecticut, where Santa and his helpers give out presents. The other home is in Wilmington, New York, where a village for Santa and his reindeer is located.

In Arizona they follow the Mexican traditions called Las Posadas. Families play out the parts of Mary and Joseph searching for somewhere to stay. They form a procession and visit their friends' and neighbors' homes where they admire each family's Nativity crib. In parts of New Mexico, people place lighted candles in paper bags filled with sand on streets and rooftops to light the way for the Christ Child.