If you lived closer, then this afternoon, or this weekend, I'd probably give you a call and ask if you'd like to come over and share a galette.
In case we hadn't eaten enough during the holiday period, we can now feast on the galette des rois, a delicious frangipane and puff pastry flat cake.
The galette is slightly warmed then cut in to slices. Somewhere hidden in the almond and butter filling is a little santon, a small ceramic statue, along a more or less traditional theme.
The person who finds this in their slice is the King, and allowed to don the paper crown, supplied with the galette. Sometimes he then chooses his Queen and gives her a buttery kiss. An amusing tradition in a country that likes to behead their monarchs!
This is a charming moment in the year, an excuse to get together with friends, family or even work colleagues, toast the year ahead with a glass of champagne. A low key celebration, very dear to the French, appreciated by children as well as adults.
all photos thanks to Google images
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I wish I would have eaten before I read this post.
ReplyDeleteSo who is the new 'galette king'? It looks very delicious! Thank-you for sharing all
ReplyDeletethese french traditions and recipes.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sue
It looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely celebration! I will be right over;)!
ReplyDeletejoan
Dearest Sharon,
ReplyDeleteOh, for pâtisserie you live in HEAVEN. Beheadings of kings have been done in many countries but France leads definitely in this area!
Indulge yourselves and feel privileged for living there... In my Province of Limburg, the southernmost one of The Kingdom of The Netherlands, we are used to the Burgundian lifestyle as well and probably have all the pastries and pâtisseries, bon-bons etc. that you have. Not all the traditions of course, we were occupied by the French but not long enough to copy everything. But yes, more and more I discover HOW much I lean to the French Country Style by upbringing!
Love,
Mariette's Back to Basics
I simply must stop visiting here first thing in the morning. My grape nuts and banana just don't cut it after I've seen the food here.
ReplyDeleteNote to self- visit Sharon AFTER eating....
sigh
z
i can taste the butter...
ReplyDeletepeace and happiness to you this new year... xx pam
What a lovely story, my French colleague told us about this tradition this afternoon...
ReplyDeleteIt's a delicious galette
Hugs
Erna
How delectable. And a lovely excuse to get together with friends.
ReplyDeleteOh I love this tradition Sharon!
ReplyDeleteMy Hispanic friends celebrate this feast of the 3 Kings and have a similar cake which has the baby jesus hidden inside.
I don't know why we Catholics in the U.S. don't celebrate the Epiphany with a similar tradition?!
I think it is lovely :)
XO
New Orleans has that same tradition of King Cakes. They’re a huge part of Mardi Gras traditions throughout the South. The cake's origins date back to the Feast of the Epiphany or Twelfth Night, which honors the three kings present at the Christ child's birth. Which is, I assume, where the custom of hiding a tiny baby doll in the cake, started.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful - I love it! What a great tradition :)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds lovely Sharon,....what time do you want me??
ReplyDeleteIt actually sounds a bit like the Greek tradition of bread (not nearly as delectible)with a coin in it.
Yours looks marvelous and the crown pretty and fun!!
What lovely traditions the French have. We could do with some more traditions here in Australia. Perhaps I'll just have to start some of my own.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day,
Anne
P.S. I'm really enjoying Ella's blog, her photos are beautiful.
Oh I would love to join you!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have reminded me of being invited to our neighbours when we lived in Normandy to have a slice of this lovely cake! quite delicious!
ReplyDeleteJillx
Such a lovely idea. The french certainly know how to have fun! Fiona
ReplyDeleteOh yes, we love three kings day, as well. Ours was a chocolate cake, though, and I'm certain not nearly as delicious as yours. Happy New Year, Sharon.
ReplyDeleteIn the villages of Hungary (my home)on 3 kings day kids(costumed as the 3 kings) used to go around the houses singing special christmas carols and good wish songs both for the families and the animals of the house, and the priest blessed the house marking +20 GMB 11 + (for this year) on the door seems.
ReplyDeletelove Dorka
Es sieht sehr lecker aus bei Dir! Ich wünsche Dir und Deiner Familie noch ein glückliches neues Jahr!
ReplyDeleteViele liebe Grüße, Yvonne
Hi Sharon!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely tradition. I would love to join you. I will just have to start making my own galette. Please, share with me your galette recipe.:)
Thank You for the post. I tried this cake just a few weeks ago. M-m-m, delicious!
ReplyDelete