It is almost New Year’s Eve!! Like many, I am looking forward to 2021 and what it may bring (and more importantly, the end of 2020). One Greek tradition on New Year’s Day is a Vasilopita.
Vasilopita is associated with the legend of Saint Basil and the Vasilopita is a New Year’s Day bread or cake where a coin is hidden inside. It is believed that whoever receives the piece with the coin inside will be blessed with good fortune for that year. Considering how 2020 has went, I am sure we are all hoping to receive the piece with that coin.
I have seen a few takes on the traditional Vasilopita and was inspired by 54thirty’s recent Instagram post where they made Vasilopita cookies. Here is my modern take on the traditional recipe.
Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened at room temperature
1 1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 tablespoon orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs
4 cups flour
2 tablespoons baking soda
powdered sugar (to sprinkle on top after cooking)
almonds (optional)
Other:
coin & aluminum foil
mini-cupcake liners & cupcake tray
Instructions:
Wash and dry your coin and cover in a small piece of aluminum foil. You will need this to add into one of the mini-cupcakes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Place cupcake liners in your tray to prepare.
In a large bowl, using a mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy smooth consistency.
Add the vanilla extract, orange juice and orange zest. Beat all together until smooth.
In a separate bowl, beat your eggs and then add them into the large bowl of wet mixture/batter. Beat until smooth.
In a separate bowl, add your flour and baking powder together. Slowly add this into the wet mixture/batter. You will only want to beat until it is mixed together.
Pour your batter into the mini-cupcake liners. You will only fill them about 1/2 to 3/4 full. This is when you will add the coin to one of the cupcakes. Optional: If you would like, top each cupcake with an almond.
Bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until you can poke them with a toothpick and it comes out clean.
Allow them to cool and then sprinkle them with powdered sugar.
Enter to win one of my top-selling mati keychains- the Theia gold glitter mati! Can’t wait? You can purchase one on my Etsy page– Don’t forget to use my code GOLDGODDESS for free shipping in July!
To enter, follow the instructions:
FOLLOW me on Instagram (@ImperfectlyPatricia) You must be following me at the time of drawing- I will be checking!
LIKE this original post on my Instagram!
COMMENT on that Instagram post by tagging a friend who would love a mati keychain! Each comment with a different friend tagged is an additional entry!
BONUS entries if you share that post on your stories (on Instagram) and TAG me in it (You must have a public profile for me to see)
BONUS entries if you follow my Facebook page and comment your IG handle on the giveaway post!
This giveaway contest runs from the time of posting until August 15, 2020, at midnight EST. 1 winner will be selected and contacted via Instagram DM.
The giveaway is opened to US residents located in the Contiguous United States. This giveaway/contest is not sponsored or affiliated with Instagram, TikTok, WordPress, Etsy or Facebook.
Since my travel plans were cancelled for this year, I am hoping to visit as much as my home state as I can this summer. The first place on my list was Lavender Pond Farm in Killingworth- which is very close to the Clinton Outlets!
Social distancing was a breeze since the majority of the farm is outdoors, with exception of the gift shop (which they were amazing at limiting individuals inside). The farm included this adorable covered bridge pictured above, with a lavender “trolley” that brought you around the property and serene pond!
There were several different varieties of lavender to see (and smell), and many of them were for sale in the gift shop too!
After touring the fields, take a break to play a round with their giant outdoor chess board!
The gift shop included so many different products, from personal care/bath to lavender infused food products. I purchased some lavender spices and cannot wait to experiment with them soon!
Check out my Instagram page for more photos and videos of the field and our trip!
I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! While we did not celebrate how we traditionally do- with a large get together followed by the fireworks display at the beach, we still had a great time with our family. If you’re anything like my family, you made WAY too much food yesterday, and will be enjoying those leftovers today. One great way to change things up a bit is by adding a new side dish! This easy to make orzo salad is served cold, and pairs well with burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken and helps to bring a little cold to this otherwise hot summer.
Ingredients:
1 bag of orzo
Baby spinach
Bite-sized tomatoes (cherry or grape)
Salt
Pepper
Olive Oil
Vinegar
Lemon
Feta Cheese
Oregano
Kalamata Olives
Cucumbers
Instructions:
Prepare your orzo according to the package. While the orzo is cooking, prepare the other ingredients.
Wash and dry about 3 large handfuls of baby spinach. Add it to a heated skillet and cook until wilted. Set aside to cool. Once cooled, cut into thin slices.
Wash and dry your tomatoes. Cut into small bite-sized pieces. Since orzo is small, I cut my tomatoes into halves and then quartered each half.
Peel cucumbers and cut into bite-sized quarters.
Cut feta cheese into small cubes.
Drain, rinse and slice your olives.
Once your orzo is cooked, rinse with cold water and add to a large bowl. Mix in your cooked spinach, tomatoes, olives, cucumbers and feta.
Optional: add fresh, sliced basil too!
Add salt, pepper, oil, vinegar, oregano and lemon to taste. Or instead, feel free to add your favorite bottled salad dressing!
Cover and leave in the fridge for a few hours or overnight to chill. Top with additional oil/vinegar or salad dressing and serve!
