Easter Special - Hot Cross Buns

I was just remembering how I use to rhyme the poem, in my childhood..

Hot-cross buns, Hot-cross buns!

One a penny, two a penny,

Hot-cross buns!

If you have no daughters,

Give them to your sons.

One a penny, two a penny,

Hot-cross buns!

It is often said, "Easter is the only time of the year when it is safe to put all your eggs in one basket". My friends, you already know that no Easter is complete without baking the rich and aromatic, spongy, hot cross buns. This bun, marked with a cross, is eaten since many many years. These are traditionally served on Good Friday and Easter. Nevertheless, lot many myths are related to these hot cross buns. Some people believe that if the buns are baked plus served on Good Friday, they will never spoil during that year. Others use the buns for medicinal use. If an ill person consumes it, he recovers very soon. 

On the other hand, if this bun is shared with a friend, there has to have a strong bond between the two in near future, especially if you say, "half for you and half for me, between us two shall goodwill be". Isn't it interesting? Not only this, if these buns are carried in the ship, during the voyage, the journey is considered to be safe throughout. The hanging bun is also replaced each year in the kitchen and is consider to protect the kitchen against fire. Similar Easter recipes served on the auspicious occasion are Easter Ham and Simnel cakes. I will be sharing my recipe of Simnel cake with you shortly. So let's bake the Hot Cross Buns together on Easter.

For Buns:-

2 Eggs,

200 ml Milk,

50 grams Butter,

½ teaspoon Salt,

7 grams Dry Yeast,

500 grams White Flour,

50 grams Caster Sugar,

2 teaspoon Mixed Spice,

200 grams Mixed Dried Fruits.

For the Cross and Glaze:-

Honey for brushing,

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour.

Preparation Method:-

1. Take a bowl and add flour, salt, mixed spice and sugar, butter, dried fruits and yeast. Beat eggs and pour into this mixture.

2. Mix the ingredients with warm milk to form a moist dough. Leave for 5 minutes. Bring dough out of the bowl and cut the dough into 8 equal pieces.

3. Shape the dough into buns placing on a floured surface. Place in baking sheet. This will take 30 minutes.

4. In the meantime, prepare glaze. Mix the flour with 2 tablespoons of water to make a paste. Pour into a plastic food bag. Make a nick in one of the corners.

5. Take the buns out. Make crosses on top of each bun. Bake for another 15 minutes until risen and golden. Brush buns with honey. Serve!

Happy Easter 2015!

Easter Eggs Fest and Fun

It is often said, “Easter spells the beauty, the rare beauty of life.” Life has been associated with egg, which is the symbol of rebirth, the new beginning as per Christian religion. Easter eggs are decorated in conjunction with the spring season and pagan festivals. The concept of rebirth very well fits the spring holiday of Easter, as it is the celebration of the resurrection of Lord Jesus. 

Easter is denoted by church prayers at sunrise, Easter ham feast in the eve, and eggs games throughout the day. But why only eggs? Let’s see the traditions and myths behind:

• In England, during the medieval period, priests used to bless the eggs on the occasion. These were eaten by church goers. This was considered pious for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• In France, it was believed that if eggs were not consumed by people on Easter, they will be bitten by the snake.
• In Europe, people used to hang Easter eggs on trees. It was believed that if one kept the eggs laid on Good Friday, the yolk will turn to diamond after 100 years.
• In some countries, people were not allowed to consume eggs during the Lent. They were saved to celebrate the occasion of Easter. Lent is the period prior to Easter, in which people go on fasting.

Dyed red eggs are a tradition at Greek Easter. This symbolizes the blood of Christ, rebirth and new life. Let’s see the myths associated with this color.

• A tradition of Mesopotamia - The Christians in Mesopotamia dyed eggs red. This marked the blood of Lord Jesus that was shed during his crucifixion. The church took up this tradition and continues it ever since.

• The red egg and Mary Magdalene - Legends say that Mary Magdalene plays vital role in the egg-dying tradition. On the trip to Jesus' tomb, she carried a basket full of cooked eggs for the mourning ladies at the tomb. On seeing the tomb empty, the eggs turned to bright red color, indicating rebirth.

• Red egg and Mother Mary - Some people credit Mother Mary behind the mystery of red eggs. It was believed that Mary, who was present at the crucifixion of Lord Jesus, carried eggs with her, which she gave to the soldiers out there to have some mercy for her son. When the tears dropped from her eyes, the eggs turned brilliant red.

Fun games with Easter eggs:- Easter brings a lot of fun games for the people of all age groups that revolves around Easter eggs. Let’s have a look at some ancient games that are equally popular even today.

• Gobble the Easter egg - Chocolate eggs were tied to the thread from a rope. Children had to eat the egg within the time limit. The child who consumed largest portion was the winner.
  

• Egg Hunt - The elder members of the family used to hide eggs indoors or outdoors. The children had to hunt for it. Its content including jelly beans, cookies, chocolate chips were all kept by the seekers. Children love this game and leave no effort of finding Easter eggs even today.  
  
  
  

• The Largest Easter Egg - Women used to participate in the competition. They made huge Easter chocolate eggs, the one who made the largest chocolate egg was declared as the winner. 
   

Apart from this, there are many other games such as egg tapping, egg dancing, egg rolling, pace egg play etc. that add to the mood of the fest. So play best and feel blessed on the occasion of Easter..