la fête des Rois

We had some dear friends over for lunch today after church, Jérémie and Marilyne and their 3 kids, and Jean and Christine and their 2 girls. I made the meal and the ladies each brought a dessert. Christine was sweet to bring a gluten-free clafouti in honor of Emilie. But I was especially excited about what Marilyne brought.

Around this time of year, if you go to someone's house, or have someone over, you are very likely to eat a "galette des Rois", or Three King's cake. The official day for eating the galette is the 6th of January, or Epiphany. It celebrates the wise men coming to bring their gifts to the baby Jesus. We celebrated Epiphany with Florent's parents on the 6th, but can expect to eat several more galettes before the month is over.

We Three Kings

The cake is usually made with puff pastry filled with frangipane, a yummy almond paste. Historically a dried bean was hidden in the cake, and the person who got the bean was "king for the day". Nowadays, you're more likely to find a small toy or porcelain figurine hidden in the galette. If you buy one in the store, you get a paper crown too, for the temporary royalty!

Queen Manon

The galette is cut into the number of pieces corresponding to the people around the table. Then, the youngest person sits under the table and calls out the names of all present. They get their piece of galette as the little one calls them out. Then everyone begins to eat, until someone bites down on the "fève", and is crowned by the others.

Lise, Manon, Célia and Eline under the table

Our queen of the day was Manon. Her mommy made the galette and she herself had hidden the "fève" between the layers of puff pastry. It was only fair that she should win! Whoever is crowned king or queen then has to choose another to "reign" with him or her. Manon chose her papa, and Jérémie looked quite regal with his crown!

Vive le roi!