Mandelsmørboller (Almond Butter Balls) Recipe

Ingredients

1. 2 cup soft butter
2. 2 teaspoon vanilla
3. 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
4. 6 tablespoons powdered sugar
5. 2 cup almonds -- chopped
6. 3 cups flour -- sifted
7. Powdered sugar

Preparations

Cream sugar and butter . Then add flavoring. Then mix well. Then Stir in flour. And fold in the chopped the almonds. Then shape in balls and place on Un-greased cookie sheet. Then bake in a preheated 360º oven about 25 minutes. Then roll in powdered Sugar while Warm.

Mandelsmåkager- (Almond Icebox Cookies) Recipee

Ingredients

12 cups flour

6 eggs
2 teaspoon baking powder
2 pound soft butter
4 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cup sugar
4 cups shelled almonds -- ground
2 cup brown sugar

Preparations

Firstly sift flour and measure. Then add cinnamon and baking powder and then sift 3 times. Then cream butter. Then add sugar a little at a time. And beat until fluffy and light. Then add the Eggs and then beat thoroughly. Then fold in the ground nuts. Then add flour gradually. Then mix well. Then shape the dough in roll about 1 inch thick. Then refrigerate them for at-least 14 hours. Then slice very thin. Then bake 12 minutes on the greased baking sheet in a preheated 410º oven.

What is Panchavdyam?

Panchavadyam, is an orchestra of 5 instruments, is basically a art form that has evolved in South India especially kerala. Of the 5 instruments, 4 -- maddalam, timila, idakka and ilathalam -- belongs to the percussion category while the 5th one, Kombu, is a Wind Instrument. Panchavadyam too is characterized by a pyramid, like a rhythmic structure, with a constantly increasing by tempo coupled with the proportional decreases in the number of the beats in cycles. So, in contrast to a Chendda Melam, panchavadhyam uses different instruments (Though Kompu and Ilathalam are common to both) is not related closely to any South Indian temple ritual. And most importantly, allows a lot of  personal improvisation while fill up the Rhythmic Beats on the maddalam,Timila and idakka. Panchavadyam is still largely a art, but it has came out of its precincts to seen performed also during some other occasions like cultural programmes and according to the welcome programme of V.I.P.s. Some institutions that give formal training in Panchavadyam. That institutes are Kshetra Kalapeetham in Vaikom and Kerala Kalamandalam.

What is Margam Kali?

Margam Kali is one of the ancient Group dances of South India practiced by Syrian Christians. The origin of the Margam Kali dance related to the arrival of Syrian groups under the leadership of Thomas Cana. This dance closely related to Dances of ancient Bysantine Kingdom. Margam Kali is the song-dance part of the form of art. But some scholars opine that it was derived from Thiruvathirakali or Parichamuttukali. The word ‘Margam’ means Way or Path. The participant’s number of this dance is only 12. Because Margam Kali in which 12 people dance around an oil Lamp. The dancers of Margam Kali sing and dance clapping around that Lamp (Nilavialkku). The performers of Margam Kali, wearing the white Blouse (‘Chatta’) and white Dhoti (‘Mundu’). The Oil lamp represents Jesus Christ and the dancers his 12 disciples. Margam Kali doesn’t accompanied by any musical instruments. The theme of the song of Margamkali is a rendition of Thomas Apostles’ activities in South India and the ultimate martyrdom of Apostle in India. It is use two cymbals played by a person. This particular person also sings the song. In the ancient times (Before the arrival of Portuguese), the male dancers performed this dance. But currently female also perform this dance. Traditionally this art dance was the activity or recreation which helped the soldiers’ (Christian) time pass. But now-a-days it is performed in weddings of Syriac Christians. Fr. Ittithomman Anjilimoottil is a one of the famous exponent of the Margam Kali. 

S-Kager Recipee

Ingredients

Makes 12 dozen 

1. 2 cup soft butter 
2. 1 cup sugar 
3. 2 teaspoon vanilla 
4. 5 cups flour
5. 4 egg yolks 

Preparations
Vanilla and Cream butter until soft. Then add sugar slowly. Then beat in
egg yolks 1 at a time. Then add flour slowly, then blending well after,
each addition. Then fill a cookie press about 4/6 full of dough. And
press out cookies in ‘S’ shapes or in any other desired shapes on lightly
floured and greased baking sheets. Then bake in a preheated 350º Micooven
13 to 15 minutes, or until the golden yellow on the edges. Must watch
cookies while they bake; Because they, scorch easily.