Atlantica - 01.11.2001, Page 50

48 A T L A N T I C A
the cat only eats those who haven’t
been given anything new to wear for
Christmas! This evil creature skulks
around in the snow, its yellowy-green
eyes glowing in the dark. Its sharp
claws are drawn, ready to pounce on
any poor, unsuspecting child whose
parents have failed to provide it with a
new item of clothing for Christmas.
Even today, parents make sure that
their child gets at least a pair of socks
or gloves for Christmas time, “to make
sure the Yule Cat doesn’t get you!“
Whatever you believe in, let the
Icelandic Christmas sweep you away.
When the final hustle and bustle of all
that shopping has died down, calm
descends upon the country. Whatever
your religion, you can’t help being
enchanted by those six o’clock church
bells chiming on this holiest of nights:
Merry Christmas – Gledileg jól!
Anna Margrét Björnsson is a staff writer.
i-site CHRISTMAS❍
Jólaglögg
(Christmas mulled wine)
1 bottle red wine
1/4 bottle Brennivín/Sherry or Madeira
according to taste
5 cardamom seeds
5 whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
1 whole ginger
2-3 dl sugar
1-2 dl blanched almonds
2-3 dl raisins
orange peel
Mix red wine, alcohol, sugar and spices in a
saucepan. Leave to simmer for an hour to
get a good infusion. Do not boil the glögg.
Serve in heatproof glasses and add raisins
and almonds to each glass.
Laufabraud
(“Leaf Bread”)
10 cups of flour
1 litre of boiling milk
1 tbs sugar
1/2 tbs salt
The dough is kneaded and rolled out into
very thin cakes. Decorate the cakes by fold-
ing them in half and carving little notches in
them. Lie the cake flat and fold each flap
upwards to form a plait. After the decora-
tions are completed, the cakes are pricked
with a fork and deep-fried. Dry them on
paper towels and place light weights on top
to get them even.
Riz à l’Amande (for four)
Boil one cup of pudding rice (round) in
water according to instructions on package.
Cool.
Blanch one sachet of almonds and chop
them finely. Whip 1/2 litre of cream and add
cream and almonds to rice. Cool for a cou-
ple of hours before serving. Hide one whole
almond somewhere in the bowl. The per-
son who finds it in their plate wins a prize.
Chocolate Sauce
Melt quality chocolate in a saucepan with a
pinch of butter and a little cream. Serve hot.
At Christmas every household
bakes a variety of cookies to be
enjoyed over the holiday season.
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