For the Parents

Bonjour, les parents!!
---oOo---

Celebrated in the month of January, here is

A Little History of 

La Galette des Rois

The beginnings of the tradition of this specialty cake are really rather lovely. 

I have read of a number of variations based on the same theme; they all go something like this . . .

In the days of the Roman era, there was a pagan tradition called the "Saturnale" whereby either:

1.  The masters of the house swapped places with the servants for a day.  The first "poor" person to walk by was served some of their food.

2.  A "king" was chosen from amongst the soldiers.  This king then had the pleasure of being served anything and everything that he desired to eat.

This ancient custom eventually coincided with the "Epiphany" - the day that Jesus was presented to the Three Kings.

The combination of these celebrations became what is now the making and consuming of

"La Galette des Rois." 

It is often celebrated on 6th January (Epiphany), or the first Sunday of January, but the cake itself is available throughout the month.

This tradition brings the family together, where the serving of "La Galette" is the prize moment.

There are a number of different recipes for this cake, but I have only seen and eaten the simple

version, which is an almond filling sandwiched between layers of puff pastry.

The distinguishing feature of this cake is the 

that lurks inside.  With its beginnings as a broad bean, or piece of money (coin), this surprise developed in the 1800's into a porcelain trinket in the form of a king or queen, and now any number of plastic trinkets of animals or cartoon characters.  The participants have great pleasure in collecting the trinkets (les fèves) year after year.

The custom is that the oldest person slices the cake while the youngest person (a child) goes under the table.  This is so that there can be no favouritism with the distribution of the slices, as the child cannot see. The person who receives the slice containing "la fève" is crowned with a cardboard crown (presented on the galette), is and required to bring la galette the following year.

Fun and laughter is had by all!!
I know that "La Galette" can be purchased in some French patisseries in Sydney
so maybe next year you could ask your local French patisserie if they make them
and you could have some fun with this tradition with your children.
It's a lovely follow-up to Christmas and the New Year!