Friday, 16 December 2011

Canada







 

Canada
~ The capital city is Ottawa, there are 10 provinces and 3 territories.
~ The Canadian flag is white and red, the symbol of Canada are the Maple leaf and the beaver, the Canadian coat of arms, the Canadian horse.
~ Some Canadian animals are the Moose, Polar Bear, Caribou, Bison, Wolf and Loon …



HiSTORY:Jacques Cartier

~ Jacques Cartier (1491-1557) was a French explorer who did three expeditions to Canada in 1534, 1535 and 1541.
Canada was named by Jacques Cartier «Kanata».
« Kanata » means a village or settlement in the Huron-Iroquois language.
In 1969, English and French became Canada's official languages. Montreal is one of the largest French-Speaking cities in the world


Montreal Flag Quebec Flag

Friday, 2 December 2011

Merry Christmas !!


Christmas is celebrated on 25 December. The British prepare the house and decorate the tree.
The name of the traditional Christmas dessert is the Christmas pudding. Inside, there are raisins, nuts and cherries. They hide six pence in the Pudding. They pull Christmas crackers during the dinner.

Another traditional Christmas sweet: mince pies. Inside, there are raisins, glazed cherries, fruit... This is the favourite food of Father Christmas.
Here's the recipe:

        Ingredients
  • 225g cold butter , diced
  • 350g plain flour
  • 100g golden caster sugar
  • 280g mincemeat
  • 1 small egg , beaten
  • icing sugar , to dust
  1. To make the pastry, rub the butter into the flour, then mix in the sugar and a pinch of salt. Combine the pastry into a ball - don't add liquid - and knead it briefly. The dough will be fairly firm, like shortbread dough. You can use the dough immediately, or chill for later.
  2. Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C. Line 18 holes of two 12-hole patty tins, by pressing small walnut-sized balls of pastry into each hole. Spoon the mincemeat into the pies.
  3. Take slightly smaller balls of pastry than before and pat them out between your hands to make round lids, big enough to cover the pies. Top the pies with their lids, pressing the edges gently together to seal - you don't need to seal them with milk or egg as they will stick on their own. (The pies may now be frozen for up to 1 month).
  4. Brush the tops of the pies with the beaten egg. Bake for 20 minutes until golden. Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack. To serve, lightly dust with icing sugar. They will keep for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.