St Nicholas Day goodies

The sixth of December is St Nicholas Day and is a fun holiday in the
Netherlands. Sinterklaas arrives by boat from Spain (nice place for a
holiday of course) with his assistant Zwarte Piet (Black Peter).

A traditional biscuit/cookie made for the holiday (and Christmas) is
speculaas or speculatius, either a thin crisp spice biscuit/cookie or a
more cakelike thing stuffed with an almond paste. Often sold in the US
as 'windmill cookies'. The key is 'speculaas kruiden', a mixture of
spices. This can be bought in the US from some importers but just as
easy to make a mix to suit the family's palate(s). The speculaas are
normally formed in a special mould, dusted with rice flour. Cookie
stamps work too or just cut into rectangles.

(Trader Joe's sells nice Belgian ones LOL)

Speculaas (recipe cobbled together from several sources)

Makes around 30

3 cups self-raising flour (or use AP plus 1 tsp baking powder and 1/2
tsp baking soda)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground anise
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 cup raw or Demerara sugar (can add more/less to taste)
1 1/2 sticks/ 6 ounces cold unsalted butter chopped
milk or water as needed
rice flour for dusting moulds if used
Slice or slivered almonds for decoration

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a deep bowl. Cut in the butter
with pastry blender or two knives. Knead lightly to mix. Add milk or
water by the spoonful if the dough is too dry. Wrap in plastic and
refrigerate overnight.

Roll the dough out thin on a floured surface. Dust the moulds or cookie
stamps if used, with rice flour. Press the dough into the mould and turn
out onto a buttered or parchment-lined baking tray. Redust the mould
each time. Otherwise transfer the dough sheet to the baking tray and cut
into sqares or rectangles. Decorate with the almonds.

Bake at 325 F for about 15 minutes until brown. Transfer to a rack to
cool.

Arri London wrote:

> The sixth of December is St Nicholas Day and is a fun holiday in the
> Netherlands. Sinterklaas arrives by boat from Spain (nice place for a
> holiday of course) with his assistant Zwarte Piet (Black Peter).

St. Nicholas Day! I haven't thought of that in ages!

When I was a kid we celebrated St. Nicholas' Day. My mom, of
German/Polish descent, would have us hang up socks - not stockings, mind
you, actual socks - on the door handles of our bedrooms. In the morning
we'd find them filled with weird treats. Peppermints, gingerbread
cookies, filberts and pecans, candy kisses, some times a little toy or two.

Gee, talk about a blast from the past...

On Mon 01 Dec 2008 05:52:33p, Arri London told us...

>
>
> Kathleen wrote:
>>
>> Arri London wrote:
>>
>> > The sixth of December is St Nicholas Day and is a fun holiday in the
>> > Netherlands. Sinterklaas arrives by boat from Spain (nice place for a
>> > holiday of course) with his assistant Zwarte Piet (Black Peter).
>>
>> St. Nicholas Day! I haven't thought of that in ages!
>>
>> When I was a kid we celebrated St. Nicholas' Day. My mom, of
>> German/Polish descent, would have us hang up socks - not stockings,
>> mind you, actual socks - on the door handles of our bedrooms. In the
>> morning we'd find them filled with weird treats. Peppermints,
>> gingerbread cookies, filberts and pecans, candy kisses, some times a
>> little toy or two.
>>
>> Gee, talk about a blast from the past...
>
> LOL! Glad to help. The only thing missing are the chocolate letters that
> are part of the feastings.
>
> Saw chocolate 'coal' in addition to the usual liquorice 'coal' in the
> market. Should buy some to give the Maternal Unit.
>
> Another treat are the 'pepernoten' or 'pfeffernusse'; gingered spice
> biscuits/cookies covered in icing sugar or a smooth glaze. Might make
> some of those this year too.
>

I love pfeffernusse as well as springerle, and haven’t made either in
several years. Maybe I’ll get to make some this year. They are really my
two favorite Christmas cookies. I prefer the pfeffernusse covered in icing
sugar better than with a glaze.

--
Wayne Boatwright
(correct the spelling of "geemail" to reply)
************************************************** **********************
Date: Monday, 12(XII)/01(I)/08(MMVIII)
************************************************** **********************
Countdown till Christmas Day
3wks 2dys 6hrs 11mins
************************************************** **********************
Illiterate?... Write for free help.
************************************************** **********************

Kathleen wrote:
>
> Arri London wrote:
>
> > The sixth of December is St Nicholas Day and is a fun holiday in the
> > Netherlands. Sinterklaas arrives by boat from Spain (nice place for a
> > holiday of course) with his assistant Zwarte Piet (Black Peter).
>
> St. Nicholas Day! I haven't thought of that in ages!
>
> When I was a kid we celebrated St. Nicholas' Day. My mom, of
> German/Polish descent, would have us hang up socks - not stockings, mind
> you, actual socks - on the door handles of our bedrooms. In the morning
> we'd find them filled with weird treats. Peppermints, gingerbread
> cookies, filberts and pecans, candy kisses, some times a little toy or two.
>
> Gee, talk about a blast from the past...

LOL! Glad to help. The only thing missing are the chocolate letters that
are part of the feastings.

Saw chocolate 'coal' in addition to the usual liquorice 'coal' in the
market. Should buy some to give the Maternal Unit.

Another treat are the 'pepernoten' or 'pfeffernusse'; gingered spice
biscuits/cookies covered in icing sugar or a smooth glaze. Might make
some of those this year too.

On Tue 02 Dec 2008 06:06:43p, Arri London told us...

>
>
> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>>
>> On Mon 01 Dec 2008 05:52:33p, Arri London told us...
>>
>> >
>> >
>> > Kathleen wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Arri London wrote:
>> >>
>> >> > The sixth of December is St Nicholas Day and is a fun holiday in
>> >> > the Netherlands. Sinterklaas arrives by boat from Spain (nice
>> >> > place for a holiday of course) with his assistant Zwarte Piet
>> >> > (Black Peter).
>> >>
>> >> St. Nicholas Day! I haven't thought of that in ages!
>> >>
>> >> When I was a kid we celebrated St. Nicholas' Day. My mom, of
>> >> German/Polish descent, would have us hang up socks - not stockings,
>> >> mind you, actual socks - on the door handles of our bedrooms. In
>> >> the morning we'd find them filled with weird treats. Peppermints,
>> >> gingerbread cookies, filberts and pecans, candy kisses, some times a
>> >> little toy or two.
>> >>
>> >> Gee, talk about a blast from the past...
>> >
>> > LOL! Glad to help. The only thing missing are the chocolate letters
>> > that are part of the feastings.
>> >
>> > Saw chocolate 'coal' in addition to the usual liquorice 'coal' in the
>> > market. Should buy some to give the Maternal Unit.
>> >
>> > Another treat are the 'pepernoten' or 'pfeffernusse'; gingered spice
>> > biscuits/cookies covered in icing sugar or a smooth glaze. Might make
>> > some of those this year too.
>> >
>>
>> I love pfeffernusse as well as springerle, and haven’t made either in
>> several years. Maybe I’ll get to make some this year. They are really
>> my two favorite Christmas cookies. I prefer the pfeffernusse covered
>> in icing sugar better than with a glaze.
>>
>> --
>
>
> We also prefer the icing sugar over the glaze but lately all the German
> ones we've bought come glazed. Presumably easier to ship.
>
> Better make the pfeffernusse this weekend...they need to age a bit prior
> to consumption. Still trying to make 'printen' (another sort of spice
> biscuit/cookie) but last year didn't have success with the particular
> recipe selected Will try another this year. They too need to age a
> bit.
>

Yes, you’re right. Both these cookies need to age and “ripen” a bit before
eating. You can speed that along some by covering the top layer of cookies
in the container with plastic wrap and laying slices of apples on top, then
tightly seal the container.

Are you taking about Aachener Printen? This is the recipe I have used in
the past.

500 grams dark corn syrup
3 tablespoons water
10 grams potash***
1 tablespoon rum
150 grams rock candy
100 grams sugar
60 grams candied orange peel
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons aniseed, ground
2 teaspoons coriander, ground
1 pinch cloves, ground
600 grams flour
Some dark syrup and water

In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together syrup and water until hot.
Remove from heat and cool slightly. Dissolve the potash in the rum. Break
the rock candy into very small pieces. Add all of the ingredients to a
large mixing bowl and knead until dough forms. Wrap in plastic wrap and let
dough rest for 5 days in a cool place. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease baking
sheets. On a lightly floured board, roll dough out to 1/4 inch thick and
cut out 1-inch by 2-inch rectangles. Place cookies on prepared baking
sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake 15 minutes. Allow to cool for one minute
on baking sheet and then remove to wire racks to cool completely. Glaze the
cookies with a mixture of one part syrup to one part water. When dry, store
in tins at room temperature.

***Potash is potassium carbonate, a chemical leavening which helps baked
goods stay moist. It tastes really bad by itself, but when it's baked into
cookies the taste goes away. You can buy it in little packets in German
stores. If you can't get any, substitute baking soda.


--
Wayne Boatwright
(correct the spelling of "geemail" to reply)
************************************************** **********************
Date: Tuesday, 12(XII)/02(II)/08(MMVIII)
************************************************** **********************
Countdown till Christmas Day
3wks 1dys 6hrs 4mins
************************************************** **********************
I used to be self-actualized, now I'm just confused.
************************************************** **********************

Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>
> On Mon 01 Dec 2008 05:52:33p, Arri London told us...
>
> >
> >
> > Kathleen wrote:
> >>
> >> Arri London wrote:
> >>
> >> > The sixth of December is St Nicholas Day and is a fun holiday in the
> >> > Netherlands. Sinterklaas arrives by boat from Spain (nice place for a
> >> > holiday of course) with his assistant Zwarte Piet (Black Peter).
> >>
> >> St. Nicholas Day! I haven't thought of that in ages!
> >>
> >> When I was a kid we celebrated St. Nicholas' Day. My mom, of
> >> German/Polish descent, would have us hang up socks - not stockings,
> >> mind you, actual socks - on the door handles of our bedrooms. In the
> >> morning we'd find them filled with weird treats. Peppermints,
> >> gingerbread cookies, filberts and pecans, candy kisses, some times a
> >> little toy or two.
> >>
> >> Gee, talk about a blast from the past...
> >
> > LOL! Glad to help. The only thing missing are the chocolate letters that
> > are part of the feastings.
> >
> > Saw chocolate 'coal' in addition to the usual liquorice 'coal' in the
> > market. Should buy some to give the Maternal Unit.
> >
> > Another treat are the 'pepernoten' or 'pfeffernusse'; gingered spice
> > biscuits/cookies covered in icing sugar or a smooth glaze. Might make
> > some of those this year too.
> >
>
> I love pfeffernusse as well as springerle, and haven’t made either in
> several years. Maybe I’ll get to make some this year. They are really my
> two favorite Christmas cookies. I prefer the pfeffernusse covered in icing
> sugar better than with a glaze.
>
> --


We also prefer the icing sugar over the glaze but lately all the German
ones we've bought come glazed. Presumably easier to ship.

Better make the pfeffernusse this weekend...they need to age a bit prior
to consumption. Still trying to make 'printen' (another sort of spice
biscuit/cookie) but last year didn't have success with the particular
recipe selected Will try another this year. They too need to age a
bit.

"Arri London" <biotech@ic.ac.uk> wrote in message
news:4935DBA3.75C97BFA@ic.ac.uk...
>
>
> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>>
>> On Mon 01 Dec 2008 05:52:33p, Arri London told us...
>>
>> >
>> >
>> > Kathleen wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Arri London wrote:
>> >>
>> >> > The sixth of December is St Nicholas Day and is a fun holiday in the
>> >> > Netherlands. Sinterklaas arrives by boat from Spain (nice place for
>> >> > a
>> >> > holiday of course) with his assistant Zwarte Piet (Black Peter).
>> >>
>> >> St. Nicholas Day! I haven't thought of that in ages!
>> >>
>> >> When I was a kid we celebrated St. Nicholas' Day. My mom, of
>> >> German/Polish descent, would have us hang up socks - not stockings,
>> >> mind you, actual socks - on the door handles of our bedrooms. In the
>> >> morning we'd find them filled with weird treats. Peppermints,
>> >> gingerbread cookies, filberts and pecans, candy kisses, some times a
>> >> little toy or two.
>> >>
>> >> Gee, talk about a blast from the past...
>> >
>> > LOL! Glad to help. The only thing missing are the chocolate letters
>> > that
>> > are part of the feastings.
>> >
>> > Saw chocolate 'coal' in addition to the usual liquorice 'coal' in the
>> > market. Should buy some to give the Maternal Unit.
>> >
>> > Another treat are the 'pepernoten' or 'pfeffernusse'; gingered spice
>> > biscuits/cookies covered in icing sugar or a smooth glaze. Might make
>> > some of those this year too.
>> >
>>
>> I love pfeffernusse as well as springerle, and haven't made either in
>> several years. Maybe I'll get to make some this year. They are really
>> my
>> two favorite Christmas cookies. I prefer the pfeffernusse covered in
>> icing
>> sugar better than with a glaze.
>>
>> --
>
>
> We also prefer the icing sugar over the glaze but lately all the German
> ones we've bought come glazed. Presumably easier to ship.
>
> Better make the pfeffernusse this weekend...they need to age a bit prior
> to consumption. Still trying to make 'printen' (another sort of spice
> biscuit/cookie) but last year didn't have success with the particular
> recipe selected Will try another this year. They too need to age a
> bit.


It's refreshing to see that some people know who St. Nicholas is. Hubby
dresses up as St. Nick and for the last few years he has done a little
presentation about his history at the elementary schools......it has
dribbled off since they don't want to 'confuse' the kids with St. Nick and
Santa, as St. Nick gave presents to the good boys and girls who did their
chores, said their prayers, etc. and his evil elf (Black Peter) left coal
and switches for the bad ones Santa just rushes in and gives and gives and
gives. He was 'reprimanded' as 'No child should be held accountable at
Christmas'........well, duh, let's not hold them accountable ANY time during
the year either. He's bummed.
-ginny

Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>
> On Tue 02 Dec 2008 06:06:43p, Arri London told us...
>
> >
> >
> > Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> >>
> >> On Mon 01 Dec 2008 05:52:33p, Arri London told us...
> >>
> >> >
> >> >
<snip>

> >
> > We also prefer the icing sugar over the glaze but lately all the German
> > ones we've bought come glazed. Presumably easier to ship.
> >
> > Better make the pfeffernusse this weekend...they need to age a bit prior
> > to consumption. Still trying to make 'printen' (another sort of spice
> > biscuit/cookie) but last year didn't have success with the particular
> > recipe selected Will try another this year. They too need to age a
> > bit.
> >
>
> Yes, you’re right. Both these cookies need to age and “ripen” a bit before
> eating. You can speed that along some by covering the top layer of cookies
> in the container with plastic wrap and laying slices of apples on top, then
> tightly seal the container.
>
> Are you taking about Aachener Printen? This is the recipe I have used in
> the past.
>
> 500 grams dark corn syrup
> 3 tablespoons water
> 10 grams potash***
> 1 tablespoon rum
> 150 grams rock candy
> 100 grams sugar
> 60 grams candied orange peel
> 2 teaspoons cinnamon
> 2 teaspoons aniseed, ground
> 2 teaspoons coriander, ground
> 1 pinch cloves, ground
> 600 grams flour
> Some dark syrup and water
>
> In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together syrup and water until hot.
> Remove from heat and cool slightly. Dissolve the potash in the rum. Break
> the rock candy into very small pieces. Add all of the ingredients to a
> large mixing bowl and knead until dough forms. Wrap in plastic wrap and let
> dough rest for 5 days in a cool place. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease baking
> sheets. On a lightly floured board, roll dough out to 1/4 inch thick and
> cut out 1-inch by 2-inch rectangles. Place cookies on prepared baking
> sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake 15 minutes. Allow to cool for one minute
> on baking sheet and then remove to wire racks to cool completely. Glaze the
> cookies with a mixture of one part syrup to one part water. When dry, store
> in tins at room temperature.
>
> ***Potash is potassium carbonate, a chemical leavening which helps baked
> goods stay moist. It tastes really bad by itself, but when it's baked into
> cookies the taste goes away. You can buy it in little packets in German
> stores. If you can't get any, substitute baking soda.
>
> --


TY. Yes Aachener printen. Recipe copied and saved. We probably can get
potash here, in the German deli (they sell the ammonium carbonate). But
will try the baking soda for the first run. The recipe used last year
was German but just didn't work at this altitude. They are hideously
expensive online

Virginia Tadrzynski wrote:
>
> "Arri London" <biotech@ic.ac.uk> wrote in message
> news:4935DBA3.75C97BFA@ic.ac.uk...
> >
> >
> > Wayne Boatwright wrote:

<snip>

> >
> > We also prefer the icing sugar over the glaze but lately all the German
> > ones we've bought come glazed. Presumably easier to ship.
> >
> > Better make the pfeffernusse this weekend...they need to age a bit prior
> > to consumption. Still trying to make 'printen' (another sort of spice
> > biscuit/cookie) but last year didn't have success with the particular
> > recipe selected Will try another this year. They too need to age a
> > bit.
>
> It's refreshing to see that some people know who St. Nicholas is. Hubby
> dresses up as St. Nick and for the last few years he has done a little
> presentation about his history at the elementary schools......it has
> dribbled off since they don't want to 'confuse' the kids with St. Nick and
> Santa, as St. Nick gave presents to the good boys and girls who did their
> chores, said their prayers, etc. and his evil elf (Black Peter) left coal
> and switches for the bad ones Santa just rushes in and gives and gives and
> gives.


'Evil Elf'????? Where does that come from? Zwarte Piet is neither evil
nor an elf. No Dutch or Belgian kid has ever heard that, AFAIK. There
are two possible origins to Piet's dark skin: he is Moorish (and often
dressed that way) or he is the one who comes down the chimneys and gets
sooty from that. Never evil; he is often the one who distributes the
goodies. Just being businesslike if it comes down to switches and coal
LOL. Leave enough hay and carrots for Sinterklaas's horse and coal
doesn't come into it.

He was 'reprimanded' as 'No child should be held accountable at
> Christmas'........well, duh, let's not hold them accountable ANY time during
> the year either. He's bummed.
> -ginny

"Arri London" <biotech@ic.ac.uk> wrote in message
news:493738D0.BBD44665@ic.ac.uk...
>
>
> Virginia Tadrzynski wrote:
>>
>> "Arri London" <biotech@ic.ac.uk> wrote in message
>> news:4935DBA3.75C97BFA@ic.ac.uk...
>> >
>> >
>> > Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
>> >
>> > We also prefer the icing sugar over the glaze but lately all the German
>> > ones we've bought come glazed. Presumably easier to ship.
>> >
>> > Better make the pfeffernusse this weekend...they need to age a bit
>> > prior
>> > to consumption. Still trying to make 'printen' (another sort of spice
>> > biscuit/cookie) but last year didn't have success with the particular
>> > recipe selected Will try another this year. They too need to age a
>> > bit.
>>
>> It's refreshing to see that some people know who St. Nicholas is. Hubby
>> dresses up as St. Nick and for the last few years he has done a little
>> presentation about his history at the elementary schools......it has
>> dribbled off since they don't want to 'confuse' the kids with St. Nick
>> and
>> Santa, as St. Nick gave presents to the good boys and girls who did their
>> chores, said their prayers, etc. and his evil elf (Black Peter) left coal
>> and switches for the bad ones Santa just rushes in and gives and gives
>> and
>> gives.
>
>
> 'Evil Elf'????? Where does that come from? Zwarte Piet is neither evil
> nor an elf. No Dutch or Belgian kid has ever heard that, AFAIK. There
> are two possible origins to Piet's dark skin: he is Moorish (and often
> dressed that way) or he is the one who comes down the chimneys and gets
> sooty from that. Never evil; he is often the one who distributes the
> goodies. Just being businesslike if it comes down to switches and coal
> LOL. Leave enough hay and carrots for Sinterklaas's horse and coal
> doesn't come into it.
>
> He was 'reprimanded' as 'No child should be held accountable at
>> Christmas'........well, duh, let's not hold them accountable ANY time
>> during
>> the year either. He's bummed.
>> -ginny

the research I did for hubby, stated that Black Peter was a demon who was
subservient to St. Nick and his 'blackness' came from humping the coal.
If you have other resources, please email them to me, as he is always
modifying and updating his presentation to keep it fresh and new. I never
liked the idea of a 'demon' accompanying a saint anyway, so he always flew
solo......you don't know if you don't ask....
-ginny
Oh, does he give out gingerbread men? I found one story that told of St.
Nick giving out gingermen (during the middle ages) as a stomach curative.

Virginia Tadrzynski wrote:
> the research I did for hubby, stated that Black Peter was a demon who
> was subservient to St. Nick and his 'blackness' came from humping the
> coal. If you have other resources, please email them to me, as he is
> always modifying and updating his presentation to keep it fresh and
> new. I never liked the idea of a 'demon' accompanying a saint
> anyway, so he always flew solo......you don't know if you don't
> ask.... -ginny
> Oh, does he give out gingerbread men? I found one story that told of
> St. Nick giving out gingermen (during the middle ages) as a stomach
> curative.

My grandson is in Germany and attends a German school. Last Christmas
Nicklaus came to school with his Black partner. I have the pictures and my
wee grandson looks terrified!

On Thu, 4 Dec 2008 15:20:16 -0000, Ophelia wrote in post :
<news:6pqbc8F9e6ajU1@mid.individual.net> :

> Virginia Tadrzynski wrote:
>> the research I did for hubby, stated that Black Peter was a demon who
>> was subservient to St. Nick and his 'blackness' came from humping the
>> coal. If you have other resources, please email them to me, as he is
>> always modifying and updating his presentation to keep it fresh and
>> new. I never liked the idea of a 'demon' accompanying a saint
>> anyway, so he always flew solo......you don't know if you don't
>> ask.... -ginny
>> Oh, does he give out gingerbread men? I found one story that told of
>> St. Nick giving out gingermen (during the middle ages) as a stomach
>> curative.
>
> My grandson is in Germany and attends a German school. Last Christmas
> Nicklaus came to school with his Black partner. I have the pictures and my
> wee grandson looks terrified!

Schwarzer Peter or in Austria "Krampus".

St. Nikolaus gives out small presents and fruit and fruit breads etc, the
equivalent of our "stocking fillers".

--
Tim C.

Arri London wrote:
> The sixth of December is St Nicholas Day and is a fun holiday in the
> Netherlands. Sinterklaas arrives by boat from Spain (nice place for a
> holiday of course) with his assistant Zwarte Piet (Black Peter).


Dang. That reminds me that I have to get down to the Dutch deli to get
our chocolate letters. My wife's father was Dutch and it was a tradition
in their family that everyone got their initial in chocolate. There is
never any problem getting a D for me, but M, J, E and V always seemed to
be the first to run out.

While I am there I will get some licorice, but not that disgusting salty
stuff. My parents often had licorice allsorts when I was a kid and they
were always hard. The Dutch deli sells them in bulk and they are always
fresh and soft, and much tastier than the crap we used to get in a bag.

Tim C. wrote:

>> My grandson is in Germany and attends a German school. Last Christmas
>> Nicklaus came to school with his Black partner. I have the pictures and my
>> wee grandson looks terrified!
>
> Schwarzer Peter or in Austria "Krampus".
>
> St. Nikolaus gives out small presents and fruit and fruit breads etc, the
> equivalent of our "stocking fillers".
>
When we lived in Germany we'd put the kids shoes out in the evening of
Dec 6th and they'd be filled with candy and small switches (the German
equivalent of getting coal in your stocking).

On Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:57:15 -0500, Goomba wrote in post :
<news:6pqgfdF9de33U1@mid.individual.net> :

> Tim C. wrote:
>
>>> My grandson is in Germany and attends a German school. Last Christmas
>>> Nicklaus came to school with his Black partner. I have the pictures and my
>>> wee grandson looks terrified!
>>
>> Schwarzer Peter or in Austria "Krampus".
>>
>> St. Nikolaus gives out small presents and fruit and fruit breads etc, the
>> equivalent of our "stocking fillers".
>>
> When we lived in Germany we'd put the kids shoes out in the evening of
> Dec 6th and they'd be filled with candy and small switches (the German
> equivalent of getting coal in your stocking).

That's done in Austria too, at night. Little boots on the doorstep. UK
traditions seem to be all of these squashed into one night's activity.
Without the real pagan Perchten (Bertha) coming around to whip you in the
streets.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perchta




--
Tim C.

Goomba <Goomba38@comcast.net> news:6pqgfdF9de33U1@mid.individual.net:
in rec.food.cooking

> Tim C. wrote:
>
>>> My grandson is in Germany and attends a German school. Last
>>> Christmas Nicklaus came to school with his Black partner. I have
>>> the pictures and my wee grandson looks terrified!
>>
>> Schwarzer Peter or in Austria "Krampus".
>>
>> St. Nikolaus gives out small presents and fruit and fruit breads etc,
>> the equivalent of our "stocking fillers".
>>
> When we lived in Germany we'd put the kids shoes out in the evening of
> Dec 6th and they'd be filled with candy and small switches (the German
> equivalent of getting coal in your stocking).

I have to say I have been enjoying this thread very much. Mother used to
hang our stockings on December 23 and we were allowed to take them down
Christmas Eve and see what was in them. Mother loves oranges and we
always had a huge (what seemed huge at the time) orange in them and a
couple of tangerines. One year we got an apple instead of the
tangerines. I don't know why but we did. There would always be packages
of our favorite nuts and those gold colored, foil wrapped chocolate
coins. There was always a small gift as well. I always got a Pez
dispenser in mine becasue as a child I loved to collect Pez dispensers
and Match Box cars. I almost always got a Match Box car on Christmas
morning.

Michael

--
Christy's page at the caringbridge site:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kilikini

Find me at: - michael at lonergan dot us dot com

Michael "Dog3" wrote:
>
> I have to say I have been enjoying this thread very much. Mother used to
> hang our stockings on December 23 and we were allowed to take them down
> Christmas Eve and see what was in them. Mother loves oranges and we
> always had a huge (what seemed huge at the time) orange in them and a
> couple of tangerines. One year we got an apple instead of the
> tangerines. I don't know why but we did. There would always be packages
> of our favorite nuts and those gold colored, foil wrapped chocolate
> coins. There was always a small gift as well. I always got a Pez
> dispenser in mine becasue as a child I loved to collect Pez dispensers
> and Match Box cars. I almost always got a Match Box car on Christmas
> morning.

When I was a kid put up our stockings on Christmas Eve and usually got
the same thing every year; an orange or tangerine, those gold foil
coins, candy canes, a chocolate or chocolate covered marshmallow Santa
.... and toothpaste.

I have just come back from buying our stocking stuffers. I bought some
nice dark chocolate bars, some liquor filled chocolates, Dutch chocolate
letters, a Toblerone bar and a marzipan pig. I have to leave room for
a bottle of Sherry for my wife.

Ophelia wrote:

> Virginia Tadrzynski wrote:
> > the research I did for hubby, stated that Black Peter was a demon who
> > was subservient to St. Nick and his 'blackness' came from humping the
> > coal. If you have other resources, please email them to me, as he is
> > always modifying and updating his presentation to keep it fresh and
> > new. I never liked the idea of a 'demon' accompanying a saint
> > anyway, so he always flew solo......you don't know if you don't
> > ask.... -ginny
> > Oh, does he give out gingerbread men? I found one story that told of
> > St. Nick giving out gingermen (during the middle ages) as a stomach
> > curative.
>
> My grandson is in Germany and attends a German school. Last Christmas
> Nicklaus came to school with his Black partner. I have the pictures and
my
> wee grandson looks terrified!


I remember reading a few years back that some politically - correct quarters
in IIRC the Netherlands or Germany found the "Black Peter" character
insulting and racist and so they called for the banning of the character.


--
Best
Greg ===>>> has nothing against "Black Peter" ;-)

Virginia Tadrzynski wrote:

> "Arri London" <biotech@ic.ac.uk> wrote in message
> news:493738D0.BBD44665@ic.ac.uk...
>
>>
>>Virginia Tadrzynski wrote:
>>
>>>"Arri London" <biotech@ic.ac.uk> wrote in message
>>>news:4935DBA3.75C97BFA@ic.ac.uk...
>>>
>>>>
>>>>Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>>
>><snip>
>>
>>>>We also prefer the icing sugar over the glaze but lately all the German
>>>>ones we've bought come glazed. Presumably easier to ship.
>>>>
>>>>Better make the pfeffernusse this weekend...they need to age a bit
>>>>prior
>>>>to consumption. Still trying to make 'printen' (another sort of spice
>>>>biscuit/cookie) but last year didn't have success with the particular
>>>>recipe selected Will try another this year. They too need to age a
>>>>bit.
>>>
>>>It's refreshing to see that some people know who St. Nicholas is. Hubby
>>>dresses up as St. Nick and for the last few years he has done a little
>>>presentation about his history at the elementary schools......it has
>>>dribbled off since they don't want to 'confuse' the kids with St. Nick
>>>and
>>>Santa, as St. Nick gave presents to the good boys and girls who did their
>>>chores, said their prayers, etc. and his evil elf (Black Peter) left coal
>>>and switches for the bad ones Santa just rushes in and gives and gives
>>>and
>>>gives.
>>
>>
>>'Evil Elf'????? Where does that come from? Zwarte Piet is neither evil
>>nor an elf. No Dutch or Belgian kid has ever heard that, AFAIK. There
>>are two possible origins to Piet's dark skin: he is Moorish (and often
>>dressed that way) or he is the one who comes down the chimneys and gets
>>sooty from that. Never evil; he is often the one who distributes the
>>goodies. Just being businesslike if it comes down to switches and coal
>>LOL. Leave enough hay and carrots for Sinterklaas's horse and coal
>>doesn't come into it.
>>
>>He was 'reprimanded' as 'No child should be held accountable at
>>
>>>Christmas'........well, duh, let's not hold them accountable ANY time
>>>during
>>>the year either. He's bummed.
>>>-ginny
>
>
> the research I did for hubby, stated that Black Peter was a demon who was
> subservient to St. Nick and his 'blackness' came from humping the coal.
> If you have other resources, please email them to me, as he is always
> modifying and updating his presentation to keep it fresh and new. I never
> liked the idea of a 'demon' accompanying a saint anyway, so he always flew
> solo......you don't know if you don't ask....
> -ginny
> Oh, does he give out gingerbread men? I found one story that told of St.
> Nick giving out gingermen (during the middle ages) as a stomach curative.

My mom has been in town this week for her sister/my aunt's funeral and
this afternoon I asked her what she'd been told about "Black Peter" in
regards to St. Nicholas' Day. She looked blank and asked who "Black
Peter" was.

Her grandparents were from the old countries and apparently the lore
that was handed down to her via her parents was maimed and incomplete.
When I told her about the variations given in this thread, she said
something along the lines of, "Really? I didn't know St. Nicholas rated
an assistant, let alone a subservient demon. Huh... You learn
something new every day."

On Wed 03 Dec 2008 06:34:18p, Arri London told us...

>
>
> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>>
>> On Tue 02 Dec 2008 06:06:43p, Arri London told us...
>>
>> >
>> >
>> > Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>> >>
>> >> On Mon 01 Dec 2008 05:52:33p, Arri London told us...
>> >>
>> >> >
>> >> >
> <snip>
>
>> >
>> > We also prefer the icing sugar over the glaze but lately all the
>> > German ones we've bought come glazed. Presumably easier to ship.
>> >
>> > Better make the pfeffernusse this weekend...they need to age a bit
>> > prior to consumption. Still trying to make 'printen' (another sort of
>> > spice biscuit/cookie) but last year didn't have success with the
>> > particular recipe selected Will try another this year. They too
>> > need to age a bit.
>> >
>>
>> Yes, you’re right. Both these cookies need to age and “ripen” a bit
>> before eating. You can speed that along some by covering the top layer
>> of cookies in the container with plastic wrap and laying slices of
>> apples on top, then tightly seal the container.
>>
>> Are you taking about Aachener Printen? This is the recipe I have used
>> in the past.
>>
>> 500 grams dark corn syrup
>> 3 tablespoons water
>> 10 grams potash***
>> 1 tablespoon rum
>> 150 grams rock candy
>> 100 grams sugar
>> 60 grams candied orange peel
>> 2 teaspoons cinnamon
>> 2 teaspoons aniseed, ground
>> 2 teaspoons coriander, ground
>> 1 pinch cloves, ground
>> 600 grams flour
>> Some dark syrup and water
>>
>> In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together syrup and water until
>> hot. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Dissolve the potash in the
>> rum. Break the rock candy into very small pieces. Add all of the
>> ingredients to a large mixing bowl and knead until dough forms. Wrap in
>> plastic wrap and let dough rest for 5 days in a cool place. Preheat
>> oven to 350 F. Grease baking sheets. On a lightly floured board, roll
>> dough out to 1/4 inch thick and cut out 1-inch by 2-inch rectangles.
>> Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake 15
>> minutes. Allow to cool for one minute on baking sheet and then remove
>> to wire racks to cool completely. Glaze the cookies with a mixture of
>> one part syrup to one part water. When dry, store in tins at room
>> temperature.
>>
>> ***Potash is potassium carbonate, a chemical leavening which helps
>> baked goods stay moist. It tastes really bad by itself, but when it's
>> baked into cookies the taste goes away. You can buy it in little
>> packets in German stores. If you can't get any, substitute baking soda.
>>
>> --
>
>
> TY. Yes Aachener printen. Recipe copied and saved. We probably can get
> potash here, in the German deli (they sell the ammonium carbonate). But
> will try the baking soda for the first run. The recipe used last year
> was German but just didn't work at this altitude. They are hideously
> expensive online
>

You’re welcome. Of course I’m not at a high altitude, but this recipe is
very good and works well for me. You may have to adjust the leavening for
your altitude.

Enjoy!

--
Wayne Boatwright
(correct the spelling of "geemail" to reply)
************************************************** **********************
Date: Thursday, 12(XII)/04(IV)/08(MMVIII)
************************************************** **********************
Countdown till Christmas Day
2wks 6dys 5hrs 40mins
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God saw absolute truth lying in the street and picked it up. The
Devil said, 'Give it to me and I'll organize it for you.'
************************************************** **********************