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Post by leslie on Feb 5, 2006 4:56:58 GMT -7
As a mere English, man, can I ask whether in Poland or US you have each year at easter time (usually starting quite a long time before it here) Hot Cross Buns. I would describe these as round, bread-type buns but very spiced as opposed to ordinary buns. They contain currants so they correspond more to the English Teacake apart from the other spices included. On the glazed top of the bun is a pastry + representing the cross on which Jesus died, although it is not like that cross. Does anybody know what I am talking about and, if so, does it exist elsewhere. I love them as they are so spicy - cut into half and spread with butter (not smalec!). Some people even put jam in them also!! Leslie the Non-Gourmet
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Post by rdywenur on Feb 5, 2006 5:15:49 GMT -7
Leslie, Yes we have it here. I think the time frame is the first day of Lent that you see them coming out for sale. And I agree ...no smalec but should be real butter. ;D And we call them Hot Cross Buns.
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Post by gardenmoma on Feb 5, 2006 16:14:40 GMT -7
Hi "Non-gourmet"! As RDY pointed out, yes we do have "hot cross buns" here in the U.S. all the way through Lent. And depending upon the bakery or whether they are homemade, they are terrific (my kind of snack!). Yes, the cross (+) is made with white icing on the glazed top. Now...I need to think about getting into gear and making some for Lent. From: Moon and Back Graphics www.geocities.com/sujatharatnala/nurseryrhymes.htmHot cross buns! Hot cross buns! Hot-cross buns! One a penny, two a penny, Hot-cross buns! Hot-cross buns! Hot-cross buns! If ye have no daughters, give them to your sons. In the Dictionary of Phrase and Fable "hot-cross buns" is defined this way: "In regard to 'hot-cross buns' on Good Friday, it may be stated that the Greeks offered to Apollo, Diana, Hecate, and the Moon, cakes with 'horns.' Such a cake was called a bous, and (it is said) never grew mouldy. The c'ross' symbolized the four quarters of the moon." From: Wordology www.wyrdology.com/festivals/easter/hot-cross-bun.html"The hot cross bun is an Easter tradition that is especially associated with Britain, although it has spread elsewhere. In the nineteenth century they were sold by street vendors who were so commonplace that they inspired a children's nursery rhyme..." "There are, of course, many forms of Easter bun. The term "Hot Cross Bun" refers specifically to a sweet, mildly spiced bun containing currants. Its name comes from the cross in the top that divides it into quarters. Sometimes the cross was simply cut into the top, however more expensive hot cross buns - and almost all those you can buy today - have the cross added to the top with some form of icing." "It is possible that this difference between "basic" and "iced" buns was responsible for the different prices - "one a penny, two a penny" - in the nursery rhyme." "Buns have long been associated with holy festivals, as have crosses of various sorts. The symbolism of an equal-armed cross is often associated with the "four corners" of the world or the ancient elements. Of particular interest is the ancient Greek bous, a bun with "horns" given as an offering to the gods. The circular bun was said to represent the moon with the cross dividing it into its quarters." "These buns were also said to never go off (spoil) - since none have survived we can probably assume that was an exaggeration!" "To modern Christians, the bun represents the cross and the crucifixion of Christ. The earliest known reference to such a bun in written English is from "Poor Robin's Almanac" in 1733. These became "Hot" Cross Buns in the early 19th century." "Traditionally these buns were eaten on Good Friday. Now, of course, we can buy and enjoy them all year round - which seems to rather defeat the point."
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Post by suzanne on Feb 5, 2006 17:46:25 GMT -7
Leslie, I have seen hot cross buns in bakeries here during Lent, although they are not always easy to find. You mentioned the ones you get are spicy - the ones I have seen here are not spicy, but they are a mildly sweet, fluffy, egg-y yeast bun, with dark or blonde raisins or currants and the white "X" of icing on the top. The ones you get sound tastier than the ones we get around here!
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Post by leslie on Feb 6, 2006 2:43:34 GMT -7
Suzanne What an excellent collection of quotes - the things people say!! Especially Eleanore Roosevelt!
Also thank you for your Hot-Cross Buns comments. I am so pleased that the idea travelled over the big Pond. There are obviously, and naturally, variations within your massive country. I love ours and would never eat an ordinary bun if they sold the X ones all the year round - unfortunately they don't!!
Warm regards
Leslie
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Post by suzanne on Feb 6, 2006 20:07:21 GMT -7
Suzanne What an excellent collection of quotes - the things people say!! Especially Eleanore Roosevelt! Leslie, If you're referring to the collection of quotes from the Jokes folder, well, I believe Rdywenur was the one who posted that. So she should get the credit, not me, but yes, I love the Eleanor Roosevelt one too!
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Post by leslie on Feb 7, 2006 2:07:46 GMT -7
Suzanne Thank you for correcting me. I have made my humble apologies to Rdy.., so all I have to do now is try to get up off my knees! Dam n - fell down again! Leslie
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Post by rdywenur on Feb 26, 2006 6:47:25 GMT -7
On Sale now in the Morning Paper: I'll be stopping by and getting some ;D
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Post by leslie on Feb 26, 2006 7:55:28 GMT -7
Rdyw.... Chris, I have definitely fallen out with you now and no amount of begging on your knees will change me Showing a glowing picture of those yummy-looking hot cross buns when you know I have such a weakness for them. You could of course redeem yourself by buying me some and chartering a private aeroplane to bring them straight over here (the Doncaster-Sheffield Robin Hood airfield is only 10 miles or so away so I would stretch a point and go and collect them myself!). So that is your only path to redemption! ;D Sir Leslie, KHCB
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Post by rdywenur on Feb 26, 2006 9:07:32 GMT -7
Sir Leslie...If the Concord were still running I'd have these over to your house before the coffee is finished perking. I would only send them to you if freshness were guaranteed so you can enjoy them at their best. So please forgive me for being so thoughtless in my actions this morning.
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Post by leslie on Feb 26, 2006 10:26:33 GMT -7
Chris How could I resist forgiving you! You are forgiven (but don't do it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) LOL Sir L
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