after my nightmare's valentine day(feel empty and hurt),I decided to not write anymore but seems some energy keep saying write and write..
Today is a Persian New year.(in Persian#1388)
So HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS.HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL YEAR WITH LOTS OF LOVE AND HAPPYNESS BESIDE THE PEACE.
I woke up at 4:30am to pray and make a good wish for anybody that i love special for me.I was looking on the last moments for one TV or Radio chanel to have the traditional music of new year but i did not find it.I felt home sick on the moment.Oh God so lonely..nobody around you to Hug or even to say "Happy New Year".Anyway hope anybody that close to their family being apreciate what they have in their life and be happy.today was a busy day with doctor and Workshop which i am doing is gaving people that are not part of the LGBT2S education to have more understanding for LGBT2S and their respects.
I would love to copy/paste some information about our new year.
here it is:
Persian New Year, also called Norooz (meaning “new day”), falls on March 20th this year
and marks the first day of spring. It’s one of the most important holidays of the year for
families of Persian heritage from various religious backgrounds.
At home, Norooz celebrations are centred around the Haft-Sinn table. This festive table
setting usually features seven key items that correspond to the seven creations, each
beginning with “s”:
Sabzeh – grown wheat or lentil (for re-birth)
Sumanu – wheat germ pudding (for sweetness in life)
Senjed – dried fruit from the lotus tree (for love)
Seer – garlic (for medicine)
Seeb – apples (for beauty and health)
Sumac – berries (for warmth like the colours of the sunrise)
Serkeh – vinegar (for age and patience)
Norooz symbolizes renewal, rebirth, awakening, cleanliness and newness. It brings
families and friends together in celebration, to usher out the cold winter and welcome
in a lively and hopeful spring.
Other holidays highlighted in this program include: the Muslim festival of Eid, the Hindu
and Sikh festival of Diwali, the Jewish festival of Chanukah, Christmas and its various
diverse traditions, and Lunar New Year (an Asian festival).
Preparing for Norooz at homeFor Norooz, the Haft-Sinn table may also feature several other iconic items. These
include: one or many goldfish in a bowl (representing life within life), coins (for wealth),
a mirror (for cleanness and honesty), decorated eggs (for fertility), and rosewater
(for its incredible cleansing powers). Colourful candles are also lit on the Haft-Sinn
table for enlightenment and happiness.
Because Norooz is a time for rebirth and purification, many people will clean and
organize their homes, as they prepare to host family and friends. They will also wear
new clothing for the Persian New Year.
Homes are often decorated with festive holiday colours. Reflecting the national colours
of red, green and white, the grouping below offers both bright and muted jewel tones,
and effortlessly combines traditional design with clean modern lines.
Celebrating with food,
family and friendsIn Canada, many Persians will host a traditional Norooz dinner
at home with family and friends on March 20. Norooz also
has certain must-have sweets that make the holidays even
sweeter. Traditional Iranian pastries are often found on the
Haft-Sinn table and can include: naan-nokhodchi (chick pea
flour cookies), toot (dried white berries), Aajeel (dried nuts,
berries and raisins) etc.
Here, varying heights and styles of dishware in consistent
colour groupings add dimension to the dessert table. This
eclectic combination offers another creative way of displaying
an array of traditional sweets.
Almond BaklavaAlmond Baklava is one of the most popular desserts prepared for Norooz. It can be found
in Persian homes throughout Canada and the Middle East. Here is a traditional recipe,
courtesy of the Persian bakery, BC’s Best Coffee. Enjoy!
Syrup: Mix water and sugar together, bring to a boil. Add lemon juice and boil for another
5 minutes. Let cool to 140 F (60 C) before pouring on baklava.
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Serves: 10 people
Suggested serving
Ingredients:
1. Melt butter first, and combine liquid ingredients in bowl, and add salt.
2. After liquid ingredients have been combined, add all of the flour and stir until the mixture has a
dough-like consistency.
3. Divide the mixture into 7oz. (200g) balls.
4. Place the dough balls on a tray and cover it with plastic wrap. Store in a warm area for about an hour.
5. Grease a large tray and preheat the oven to 465 F (240 C).
6. Roll out the balls into paper thin sheets and lay half out in the tray.
7. Add some of the filling mixture to the tray and smooth it out so that all of the pastry is covered.
8. Roll out the remaining half of the pastry into paper thin sheets and use to cover the filling mixture.
9. Brush the top of the pastry with butter and cover it with another layer of pastry.
10. Shape the pastry into squares or diamonds with a sharp knife.
11. Brush the top with butter again and place the tray in the oven for approximately 20 minutes or until
golden brown. (Optional: brush some liquid egg yolk over the pastry before putting it into the oven.)
12. Once the baklava has cooled down, pour the syrup which has been heated to 140 F (60 C) onto
the pastry in the tray.
13. Add some more syrup to the pastry again after one hour to ensure the baklava is soaked.
14. Garnish with pistachio slivers, shredded coconut or icing sugar as desired.
Baklava preparation and baking instructions:
Pastry:
2 ¾ tbsp (40g) butter/shortening
1/3 cup (75mL) homogenized milk
¾ tsp (1g) salt
1 egg
3 1/8 cups (750g) all-purpose flour
Pastry:
1 cup (0.25kg) granulated sugar
¾ cup (200g) water
½ tbsp (7.5mL) lemon juice
Filling:
12 ½ cups (3kg) almond powder
12 ½ cups (3kg) granulated sugar
5 tsp (25g) cardamom
By:HomeSense
