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GALETTE DES ROIS
January 6, The Feast of Epiphany or Little Christmas, is a holy
festival honoring the wise men coming to the infant Jesus.
 This is one of the most popular eating traditions in France
that takes place in January every year. A "fève" - a small
china figurine - is hidden in the galette before baking. The lucky guest
who gets the fève is crowned king and chooses his queen among the other
guests. This takes place all over France in every family, between friends
and work colleagues. The children absolutely love the game.
Recipe: Galette des Rois
(Serves 8)
Ingredients:
1 1/4 lb frozen puff pastry
2 eggs
7 oz almond paste
Preparation:
Leave the puff pastry at room temperature for about 2 hours until defrosted
but still cold.
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Line a baking sheet or pizza pan with baking parchment or grease the
pan and lightly sift flour on it. Shake off any excess flour. Roll each
sheet of pastry into a circle about 12 inches across.
Place one circle on the prepared pan.
Mix the egg with the almond paste until smooth and spread the mixture
evenly on the prepared circle of pastry, leaving a border 1 1/2 inches
wide all around. If you have a small china, insert it into the almond
mixture (you may also use a bean as the fève. The person who gets
the fève is the King or Queen.
Place the second circle of pastry on top and press it down tightly around
the rim.
Beat lightly the remaining egg and brush it on the top of the cake. With
a long-bladed knife, press lightly but firmly through the egg glaze marking
a crisscross pattern.
Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and puffed. Do not check for
doneness for at least 15 minutes, as the pastry may collapse. Serve slightly
warm or cold.
Traditionally the galette is topped with a cardboard crown, which is
given to the person who gets the fève.
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