Visitors to France will be aware of a certain 'pastry' that appears in the shops just after Christmas.
The Galette des Rois is a flaky pastry filled with almond paste frangipane. The Galette also comes complete with a hidden fève (the French equivalent of a sixpenny piece in a plum pudding), and a paper crown for the finder.
The Galette is traditionally eaten at Epiphany (no idea what this is) which falls on the first Sunday after January 1st.
I'm not a sweet eater, but a slice of almondy Galette with my afternoon cup of Lapsang is essential at this time of year.
If you happen to find yourself in France just after Christmas; I recommend.... Delicious.
We buy ours from the bakery, but supermarket versions (such as above) are just as good.
32 comments:
The Epiphany is when the three wise men arrived with the frankincense, gold and myrrh. It is always celebrated on the 6th here, twelth night. I like a franzipan too.
The 6th is when we take down our meager decorations, and go wassailing. Now I'll have to add yet another activity; Galette eating.
Vous nous abreuvez de vos connaissances 24h sur 24h et prétendez après 42 ans en France de ne pas savoir ce que signifie l'Ephiphanie ? Instruisez vous un peu pas besoin d'être chrétien pour se cultiver ! Bonne galette et Bonne Année !
Sara (pas chrétienne)
How very charming. I'm afraid there are countless 'special days' of countless different religions of which I know nothing. I'm just a simple atheist boy.
I googled Epiphany and I know now what it is but Rachel was the first to know:)
Spent Christmas in France, saw these things but didn't know what they were.
I think I made one of those last year. It didn't look like that though.
How embarrassing - to arrive SO late that the day is given a special name :)
And as they said in The Life of Brian; it's OK to bring Gold and Frankincense, but maybe forget the Myrrh.
I've been living here for over 40 years, and this is the first time we've bought one.
Rachel is a hive of knowledge.
I would love that Galette. I have recently made several " Spanish almond cakes", which are mainly ground almonds , eggs and sugar…yummy! Lashing down with rain here, but hey ho, as JG would say, dog needs to be walked. Forecast is for rain most of the day so no point putting it off. Hope you still have your frost.
Donc je déduis atheist =.stupid ?
Damp fog/mist here, but not too cold.
No, but I need to find an excuse for my lack of knowledge!
Well you are a funny guy. Good luck in France for 2015 !
Sara
That does sound delicious, enjoy your slice and tea.
Twiggy
I think there's just one slice each left over for this afternoon.
And to you!
I joined the choir at the local church at the beginning of the new year. For the first practice we sang for about 15 minutes and then adjourned to the Rectory for wine as well as galette with ice cream. It seems that it was there celebration for singing at all the Christmas services... oops.
In the galette there was a small pottery piece - the person who got in in their portion got a crown to wear.
Helen
During 12 years in a Roman Catholic convent school I learned one or two things like this.
Ours had a small pottery square, printed with a picture of a church. I found it, and was privileged to wear the crown. Lucky me.
I probably should have at Ely; but didn't.
Mr FD bought one at the boulangerie today and we are looking forward to tucking into it tonight - warm with a dollop of creme fraiche isn't a bad way to eat a galette! We usually have at least one a year, sometimes more. My dance group are having a cider-and-galette evening next Friday which should be fun.
I hadn't thought of adding cream, but cider sounds like a pleasant accompaniment.
Epiphany - the showing of Christ to the three wise men.
Just looked it up for you in the dictionary to take my mind of that exquisite gallette (I adore both puff pastry and frangipane, but am now on a strict diet to lose the weight I put on over Christmas.)
We start our diets on Monday, but then have guests on Tuesday; it's not easy.
Since I am always late to read your post... I was going to say Epiphany is the 6th. (Catholic School)
I usually leave up my decorations also. But if I take them down early I leave the lights on outside to help the Wise Men find their way and the Creches.
I enjoy almond pastries and would love to try this.
cheers, parsnip
As the others have mentioned, the Epiphany si Jan 6th and the general excuse by Catholics like myself (lapsed and relapsed) just a grand excuse not to clear out the Christmas crap until the tree is so dry it bursts spontaneously into flame if someone in the room passes gas. Oh Holy Flaming Night!
My! that galette is just my sort of pastry. Just tucked into a slice of Stollen, which probably can't hold a candle to your sweet.
I must say that I'm more of a savoury kinda gal but, almond galette is delicious, maybe with a glass of Beaumes - de - Venise, Cro ?
There seems to be a fight between Jan 6th and the first Sunday after Jan 1st. Is it a moving feast (such as Easter) or a fixed one (such as Christmas)? Who knows....
Happy Galette eating.
It is fixed in the UK, there is no fight about it.
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