Great topical issues of the day - Galette des Rois

General Discussion
21

We had friends round yesterday afternoon to share an artisanal galette my wife had ordered from Figeac’s Madame Boulange (where everything is excellent). It was quite an international gathering, with our two nearest neighbours, a couple from Rotterdam, two fine English fellows and a S African person (to whom I happen to be married).

The galette was cut into eight slices and the crown placed alongside. We decided the youngest person present (a mere fifty year old) needn’t go under the table, though not because she couldn’t (yoga instructor) but because she was wearing an expensive looking pair of white trousers. There followed a further break with tradition when It became apparent that nobody had found the feve, and that unless it had been swallowed unnoticed, it was in th eighth slice. So we decided to split the last slice between our two neighbours, do away with the crown and declare our village a republic.

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22

Our local bakeries sell individual galettes as do the local supermarkets (artisan made).

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No unfortunately after asking recently. Even Carrefour and LeClerc seem to cater for families only. I don’t really care as its more to battle with when trying to cut down and lose some kilos.

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Im not sure if its the same everywhere in france - but here in the south ( Near Narbonne) - if you get the piece with the King inside then you buy a cake for all of your friends and take it round…last year my wife did ! so many cakes were eaten over many days…

theres another festival day - our french friends call it " the day of Michel, Michele, Michelle" if your called Michele then everybody has to do as you say…for the day…there are other dates for other names too - what a wonderful way to make people feel special…if only we had the same approach in the uk…

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Whilst still back in the UK in 2017, at the local adult education French classes, we had a recipe to translate - it was for Galette des Rois. I made one and took it in the next week, the ladies of the group declared it well made and very tasty :smiley:

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there are so many… it’s wonderful, as you say it does make life fun :+1:

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We’ve been making them at home but cheating by buying the puff pastry (has to be pur beurre). It means we can make the frangipane exactly the way we like it :slightly_smiling_face:

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28

Saints days cost me a fortune now there are grandchildren but only a small gift.

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I think in the English-speaking world it’s called “Karen Day” and happens every day. :smiley:

(Many apologies to all members who are called Karen, it must be a pain having your first name hijacked to describe someone who complains…)

I have a friend called Alexa who can’t go near Amazon electrical products. :smiley:

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What day is this? My middle name is Michael, or wouldn’t that count because the French don’t have them?

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What? What don’t we have?

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Eh? Try telling that to my French missus…

She has two middle names : Marie Elise.

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Perhaps he means that French people hyphenate the 2. :thinking:

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OK, so I’m ignorant. But every French admin form I have filled out asks for “Nom” and “Prenom” only. So Prenom can include multiple names?

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Not only that, but the Marie (if that’s part of the name) comes first for a woman and second for a man.

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Actually giving children multiple forenames is encouraged. Saves confusion between thousands of Martin Duponts.

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29th September - St Michael’s Day !

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https://airborne-museum.org/en/saint-michael-and-his-meaning-in-the-history-of-french-parachutism/

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https://www.behindthename.com/namedays/country/france
sorry to go off-piste, just a link for those that are interested.
one of my French friends has the list printed out, and rigorously checks her address book for the day to share some joy to the relevant ‘name’

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My partner’s fete du jour is also our anniversary… You can imagine the amount of trouble if I forget!