mardi 2 janvier 2007
Fete des Rois - Three Kings Day
Did you know there was a special tradition in France, in New Orleans and in Quebec that is called “La fête des rois” or “Three Kings Day”?
This tradition is celebrated the 1st Sunday of each New Year. (January 7th this year) The celebration is "La Fête des Rois" (Three Kings Day) and includes a King or Queen and a special cake. Yes you heard it: a special cake. So there, you have it, great for kids! The tradition of serving this cake can be traced back to the 14th century. A small bean, coin or porcelain “fève” is baked inside the cake and whoever receives the little favor is then crowned King/Queen for the day. Tradition also dictates that the cake be cut into as many slices as there are people present, plus 1 extra. The extra piece is called “part du pauvre” (poor man's piece) and it is given to the first person who stops at the home. Who will become king or queen for the day at your house? Make a crown and bake a galette and have a little fun with the family. There’s a traditional receipe, but you can bake your favorite cake if you’d like!
Recipe “Galette des Rois”
Ingredients:
· 1/4 cup almond paste
· 1/4 cup sugar
· 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softenend
· pinch of salt
· 2 eggs
· 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
· 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
· 2 Tablespoons flour
· 1 package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed according to package directions
· 1 dried bean (kidney beans work well)
· 2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 450°F.
Buttered large baking sheet (not dark metal).
1. In a food processor, purée the almond paste, sugar, butter and pinch of salt until smooth.
2. Add 1 egg, vanilla and almond extracts and purée.
3. Add the flour and pulse to mix it in.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one sheet of the puff pastry into an 11-1/2 inch square.
5. Invert an 11-inch pie plate onto the square and cut out a round shape by tracing the outline of the pie plate with the tip of a paring knife.
6. Brush the flour from both sides of the round and place it on the buttered baking sheet. Put in the refrigerator to chill.
7. Repeat the procedure with the second square of puff pastry, but leave it on the floured work surface.
8. Beat the remaining egg and brush some of it on top of the second round. Score decoratively all over the top using the tip of a paring knife and make several small slits.
9. Remove the first sheet from the refrigerator and brush some of the egg in a 1-inch border around the edge. Mound the almond cream in the center, spreading slightly.
10. Bury the bean in the almond cream. Place the scored round on top and press the edges together.
11. Bake the galette in the lower third of the oven for 13 to 15 minutes, until puffed and golden. Remove from oven and dust with the confectioners' sugar.
12. Place oven rack in the upper third of the oven and return galette to cook for an additional 12 to 15 minutes or until the edge is a deep golden brown.
Let cool.
Make sure everybody knows about the bean!
Have fun!
Isabelle Larose
www.surpriseinthemail.com
A gift that keeps on giving.
This tradition is celebrated the 1st Sunday of each New Year. (January 7th this year) The celebration is "La Fête des Rois" (Three Kings Day) and includes a King or Queen and a special cake. Yes you heard it: a special cake. So there, you have it, great for kids! The tradition of serving this cake can be traced back to the 14th century. A small bean, coin or porcelain “fève” is baked inside the cake and whoever receives the little favor is then crowned King/Queen for the day. Tradition also dictates that the cake be cut into as many slices as there are people present, plus 1 extra. The extra piece is called “part du pauvre” (poor man's piece) and it is given to the first person who stops at the home. Who will become king or queen for the day at your house? Make a crown and bake a galette and have a little fun with the family. There’s a traditional receipe, but you can bake your favorite cake if you’d like!
Recipe “Galette des Rois”
Ingredients:
· 1/4 cup almond paste
· 1/4 cup sugar
· 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softenend
· pinch of salt
· 2 eggs
· 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
· 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
· 2 Tablespoons flour
· 1 package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed according to package directions
· 1 dried bean (kidney beans work well)
· 2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 450°F.
Buttered large baking sheet (not dark metal).
1. In a food processor, purée the almond paste, sugar, butter and pinch of salt until smooth.
2. Add 1 egg, vanilla and almond extracts and purée.
3. Add the flour and pulse to mix it in.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one sheet of the puff pastry into an 11-1/2 inch square.
5. Invert an 11-inch pie plate onto the square and cut out a round shape by tracing the outline of the pie plate with the tip of a paring knife.
6. Brush the flour from both sides of the round and place it on the buttered baking sheet. Put in the refrigerator to chill.
7. Repeat the procedure with the second square of puff pastry, but leave it on the floured work surface.
8. Beat the remaining egg and brush some of it on top of the second round. Score decoratively all over the top using the tip of a paring knife and make several small slits.
9. Remove the first sheet from the refrigerator and brush some of the egg in a 1-inch border around the edge. Mound the almond cream in the center, spreading slightly.
10. Bury the bean in the almond cream. Place the scored round on top and press the edges together.
11. Bake the galette in the lower third of the oven for 13 to 15 minutes, until puffed and golden. Remove from oven and dust with the confectioners' sugar.
12. Place oven rack in the upper third of the oven and return galette to cook for an additional 12 to 15 minutes or until the edge is a deep golden brown.
Let cool.
Make sure everybody knows about the bean!
Have fun!
Isabelle Larose
www.surpriseinthemail.com
A gift that keeps on giving.
Libellés : Recipe
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