All posts by HPSH Plaid Line

Travel/Food

Dampfnudel recipe and review

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By: Nils Hilleson

Ingredients:

Dough:

  • 3 C flour
  • 1/4 C sugar
  • 3 tsp dry yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 C warm milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 C butter, softened

Poaching liquid:

  • 3 tbs butter
  • 1/4 C sugar
  • 1 C milk

Steps:

  • Blend 3 C flour, 1/4 C sugar, yeast and salt in a stand mixer
  • Add warm milk, 2 eggs and 1/4 C softened butter into stand mixer and mix until dough forms a ball
  • Transfer to a bowl and let rise for 1 hour
  • Knead dough, cut into 8 pieces and allow 30 minutes to rise
  • Melt 3 tbs butter in a heavy pot over medium heat
  • Add 1/4 C of sugar until browned (about 5 minutes)
  • Add 1 C milk
  • Arrange dough into the pot
  • Cover and cook at low heat for 10-15 minutes
  • Add sauces of your choice

My dad makes Dampfnudel around December most years so I thought it’d be good to learn how to make it. I also made a vanilla and caramel sauce to add to the Dampfnudel but people add different things to it; I did see multiple other Dampfnudel recipes that use vanilla sauce though.

Dampfnudel isn’t always sweet and can be made savory but I’ve never had a savory Dampfnudel. I didn’t realize how much waiting is involved in making Dampfnudel. I really like Dampfnudel because of how sweet I make it and how soft it is.

I decided to do this since, to my knowledge, Dampfnudel seems relatively unknown and I really like it so I think more people should know about it.

This is a modified recipe from my parents recipe.

Movies/TV/Theaters

‘White Chicks’ movie review

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By: Marina Yang

Version 1.0.0

‘White Chicks’ is a classic 2000’s (specifically 2004) comedy, best known for its iconic jokes and the well-known actors the Wayan brothers; Shawn, Marlon and Keenan Ivory. The movie was directed and produced by Keenan Ivory with Shawn and Marlon both being writers and star actors for the movie.

The main plot of ‘White Chicks’ is two FBI agents (Marcus Copeland and Kevin Copeland) are on the brink of losing their jobs because of their previous assignment where they messed up a drug bust and confused harmless ice cream sellers with drug dealers. They manage to get one last chance and get assigned to protect two sisters, Brittany and Tiffany Wilson, from kidnappers and safely escort them to a fashion event in the Hamptons.

Along the way though, they experience a minor car-crash causing the sisters to freak out, causing them to not want to attend the event. With their jobs on the line the FBI agents plan to go undercover as the two sisters, as two ‘white chicks’, squeezing between the two lives of a white girl and a black man. Ultimately, they discover the real kidnappers of the whole ordeal in the end and save their jobs and relationships.

This movie is very humorous for its iconic references and jokes, though it does contain some more mature content. The movie briefly covers the issues of miscommunication and lying as the two brothers often found themselves in a dilemma between balancing their life and their jobs. For example, Marcus is constantly putting his wife at distrust due to him being overworked and taking out his sleepiness on her, giving her a lack of attention and building up to her thinking he’s unfaithful. While Kevin tries to approach a news reporter, Denise Porter, though not as the real him but as someone else, Latrell Spencer, a famous basketball player. The real Spencer though, has a thing for ‘white chicks’, and has an attraction to Marcus undercover as the sister, before it was announced he was a black man. This fact gives a nice touch into reality rather than just this FBI agent mission because it shows that outside of jobs or cool things like this, they are people who hold their own values amongst other/different people/social life. Being more individual than their job titles in this case.

I really liked this movie because of its jokes and just overall likable characters throughout the movie, so I give it a 5/5. People really hyped up about this movie and they weren’t lying when they said it was good. Although at first, it didn’t look as promising, but once I got a few minutes into it I instantly started feeling engaged. Now, whenever I see the Wayan brothers it’s going to be funny in a way.

You can watch this movie via subscription on Netflix or rent or purchase it on other streaming platforms.

Adapted Floor Hockey, Basketball, Gymnastics, Hockey, Nordic Skiing, Scoreboard/Schedule, Swimming & Diving, Wrestling

Sports schedule for: Dec 15-20

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 ATHLETIC EVENTS SCHEDULE DECEMBER 15 – DECEMBER 20
MONDAYDECEMBER 15 
TIMEBUS TIMESEVENTLOCATION
JV: 4:30pm V: 6:00pm Girls Basketball vs. Higher Ground AcademyHOME
TUESDAYDECEMBER 16  
TIMEBUS TIMESEVENTLOCATION
4:30pm Adapted Hockey vs. South SuburbanHumboldt High School
B: 4:45pm JV: 4:45pm V: 6:30pm3:15pm | 7:45pmBoys Basketball vs. Hill-MurrayHill-Murray
JV: 5:00pm V: 7:00pm Girls Hockey vs. SimleyWSP Ice Arena
WEDNESDAYDECEMBER 17  
TIMEBUS TIMESEVENTLOCATION
V: 3:45pm JV/B: 4:15pm2:20pm | 5:15pm Two BusesNordic Ski Race – ClassicHyland Lake Park Reserve
5:00pmHP: 3:20pm SPA: 3:30pm | 8:15pmBoys Swimming vs. Como ParkHumboldt High School
5:00pm3:30pm | 8:30pmWrestling vs. CentralCentral High School
6:00pm Girls Basketball vs. Nova ClassicalNova Classical Academy
6:00pm Gymnastics vs. South St. PaulHOME
THURSDAYDECEMBER 18  
TIMEBUS TIMESEVENTLOCATION
B: 4:30pm JV: 4:30pm V: 6:00pm Boys Basketball vs. KennedyHOME
JV: 5:00pm V: 7:00pmJV: 3:15pm V: 4:45pm | 8:30pmBoys Hockey vs. South St. PaulDoug Woog Arena
FRIDAYDECEMBER 19  
TIMEBUS TIMESEVENTLOCATION
JV: 4:30pm V: 6:30pm Girls Hockey vs. South St. PaulDoug Woog Arena
5:00pm2:30pm | 9:00pmWrestling Quad vs. Rush City, Edison, and North BranchRush City High School
SATURDAYDECEMBER 20  
TIMEBUS TIMESEVENTLOCATION
9:00am6:45am | 6:00pmWrestling InviteTrinity School at River Ridge
JV: 12:00pm V: 2:00pm Boys Hockey vs. IrondaleCharles M. Schulz Highland Arena
Travel/Food

Recipe for gingerbread cookies

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By: Karl Salkowski

Image created with Copilot

Gingerbread cookies have been synonymous with the holiday season for centuries, but somehow, they have always left something to be desired. Often too dry, hard, or flavorless, gingerbread has never been my favorite, until I found this recipe. These cookies are soft, addicting, and they melt in your mouth. This recipe from “Sally’s Baking Addiction” completely changed my perspective on this staple holiday treat.

Ingredient List:

  • 10 Tbsp butter, room temperature
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ⅔ cup unsulphured molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 1 Tsp vanilla
  • 3½ cups flour
  • 1 Tsp baking soda
  • ½ Tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp ground ginger
  • 1 Tbsp cinnamon
  • ½ Tsp ground allspice
  • ½ Tsp ground cloves

Instructions:

  1. Beat butter until creamy, then add brown sugar and molasses.
  2. Once thoroughly mixed add egg and vanilla, beat on high for 2 minutes.
  3. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
  4. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
  5. Chill for at least 3 hours.
  6. Roll out with flour, ¼ Inches thick onto a baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 9-10 minutes at 350º Fahrenheit.

Make sure to bake until the edges are crispy but the cookie is still uniform in color. This prevents the cookies from hardening up, giving them their soft texture instead. The spice profile of these cookies is very specific as well, using a whole tablespoon of ground ginger elevates them to another level. All of these factors combined make these cookies my go to holiday treat.

This recipe is a family favorite, having become a tradition each holiday season. I very much recommend this recipe, as it is a different take on this winter staple. I definitely prefer the texture and relaxed flavor to other recipes, making this my personal favorite. If I were to give this recipe a rating out of ten, I would give it a 10. It is one of my favorite recipes of all time and a must-try for any cookie enthusiast.

Science/Nature

🍁 Why leaves are nature’s changing fashion show.

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By: Canaan Nonnemacher

Have you ever wondered why, after being perfectly green all summer, trees suddenly explode into bright red, yellow, and orange colors every fall? It’s not magic, it’s science, and it’s a critical way trees prepare for the cold weather ahead.

The Color Change Explained

During spring and summer, leaves act as tiny food factories for the tree. They are filled with a green chemical called chlorophyll, which is essential for photosynthesis, the process of using sunlight to make food (sugar). Because there is so much chlorophyll, it completely covers up all the other coloring chemicals, or pigments, in the leaf, making everything look green.

As summer ends, the days get shorter, signaling to the tree that it’s time to stop food production and get ready for winter. The tree stops producing new chlorophyll, and the existing molecules quickly break down. This disappearance of the green pigment reveals other colors that were hidden all along.

The Colors That Were Always Hiding

As the green fades, the yellow and orange colors, created by pigments called carotenoids, become visible. These pigments are always in the leaf but are simply masked by the strong green chlorophyll.

However, the deep reds and purples are created by a different pigment called anthocyanin, which is not present during the summer. Anthocyanins are made in the fall when the tree seals off the leaf stem, trapping sugars inside the leaf. When these trapped sugars are exposed to bright sunlight, they create a brilliant red color. Scientists believe this red acts like a protective sunscreen for the leaf while the tree quickly pulls out and stores all the important nutrients before the leaf falls.

Why Trees Drop Their Leaves

The color change is the first part of the tree’s survival plan for winter. The main reasons trees shed their leaves is to save water and prevent damage. Leaves constantly lose a lot of water. When winter comes and the ground freezes, the tree’s roots can’t suck up new water. By dropping its leaves, the tree avoids drying out and enters a state of, like a long sleep, to conserve water until spring. Additionally, being leafless prevents heavy snow and ice from building up on branches, which would otherwise cause them to break.

Thus, the spectacular colors of fall are a clear sign that the tree is being smart, preparing for a long, cold winter rest

Books/Art

Chapter 4 summary and review of ‘Twilight’

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By: Ivy Dahl

Summary:

In chapter four of ‘Twilight’, Bella begins to dream of Edward Cullen every night for almost a month.

The guy who almost hit her with his car follows her around giving endless apologies, and her brush with danger seemed to revive all the attention on her that had only just died down. Bella returns to her place next to Edward in biology, with him also now ignoring her again.

When Bella arrives at home, Jessica calls Bella and asks her if she would be upset if she asked Mike to a school dance, to which Bella says no, and that Jessica should definitely ask Mike.

The next day, once again, Edward ignores Bella throughout class, but this time he says her name once the bell rings and the classroom is empty. This grabs Bella’s attention and she listens keenly as he mutters an apology for ignoring her, but also insists that it’s better if they aren’t friends. This sparks Bella’s temper, saying that he should have figured that out before he saved her life, since he clearly regretted it. Now Edward, also angry at her response, tells her she doesn’t understand anything. Bella attempts to flee their argument but trips and her books spill out all over the floor. Edward picks them up for her courteously.

Bella continues her day, and after school she finds her classmate Eric leaning against her car awkwardly. He asks her to the school dance, which she evades by telling him she’ll be in Seattle that day. Later that day, she continues this cover up by asking her dad if she can actually go to Seattle, and he agrees.

The next morning, after Bella arrives at school she has a confusing interaction with Edward Cullen, who now has golden eyes, and is offering her a ride to Seattle. Bella reminds him that he told her that they shouldn’t be friends, to which he responds that he’s just tired of trying to stay away from her. Then bizarrely, before leaving, he warns Bella to stay away from him.

Review:

The fourth chapter of ‘Twilight’ has less drama and action then the previous ones, focusing more on fleshing out the building tensions between the characters. Because of this slower pace I’d give it a rating of 6/10. You can buy the book ‘Twilight’ on Amazon.