We have talked about evil eyes and superstitions .
It's New Year's Eve and today in my country we follow the brightest of traditions, which is my favourite.
A tradition that makes you feel Joy and Optimism, something we all need in our days.
Today we bake the Vassilopita and I have just baked mine
Vassilopita is a sweet Pie, a cake, where we hide a coin.
When we are going to have the Vassilopita tomorrow and everyone takes a piece the person who finds it will be lucky one for the rest of the Year.
The excitment is great and the elders have invented millions of tricks so as the coin goes to the most weak person of the family, the one that needs support.
Grandparents have the power to do such miraculous things.
I remember , when my grandpa was alive I remember that I have found the coin three times and when I was screaming " I found it I found it", grandpa was smiling and he was telling me " You see? Everything will go as you wish this year, the coin is the proof that you will have the luck with you, don't loose hope"
I have many friends all around the world, that they prepare the vassilopita regardless their nationality and their religion, since the have learned about this tradition.
So I thought to share this with you.
It's the most heart warming Greek Tradition.
I post here the recipe, is very easy.
When is ready the head of the family must take a big knife, cross it three times ,if you are christians and start "nominating" the pieces.
The first one goes to Jesus Christ
The second to the House
The third to the business
The fourth to the poor and the homeless that might knock on your door
The rest goes to every single member of the family starting from the older ones.
I am sure that I would take the coin this year if my grandfather was alive
Enjoy and do not forget the coin!!
The Recipe
Vassilopita of Smyrne ( Asia Minor)
Ingredients
6 cups of flour
6 eggs
2 cups of sugar
3/4 cup of Butter
1 small glass of brandy
3 tsp of baking powder
Orange juice from an orange
Orange zest
Prepare the meringue of the whites of the eggs.
Add the baking powder to the flour
Stir the sugar with the egg yolks
Mix the orange juice with the brandy
Add the zest to the egg yolks mixture.
You add the above as follows
First add the orange juice with the brandy to the egg mixture. Stir. Add half of the flour with the baking powder and stir well.Add the meringue . Stir again and then add the rest of the flour.
Place your mixture in a greased pan and bake in a medium over for 1 hour.
When it's ready remove it from the oven and sprinkle caster sugar all over.
The Pie that brings you Luck( + Recipe) 
i do miss the cooking though! 
