19 Dec Moments that make Memories
The below was written when my mother passed away last year…only now have I healed enough to publish this homage to her…
We had just concluded the 40th day prayers after my mother’s passing away and were driving home to Houston from Dallas. Even though my mom was bedridden for a year and was in late-stage dementia, I was not prepared for her leaving us. The one thing that strengthened me during the grieving process was focusing on being the best mom I could be. She would want that. Mummy, I know you are seeing this from above…
As my thoughts wandered from memories of my mom, to my frail father, to the present moment, I realized that it was Epiphany. It was the day that, in part, commemorates the visit of the Three Kings with gifts for the babe in the manger. It symbolizes, to me, our own journey to give our talents as gifts to humanity, and thus, God.
For years, we have marked the day with moving the King figurines closer to the manger and with a home-made Gallete Des Rois.
The youngest children make the crown. However, all the children (age no bar), amidst laughter and silliness, riot for the cherished home-made, paper crown that the person finding the treasure (usually a candy) baked in the Gallete des Rois finds!
We got home at 4:15 and I had to get dinner and the galette done in less than 2 hrs. I put the puff pastry out to thaw while I made dinner. (I made baked chicken since it was less hands on and would get my oven preheated for the gallete.) The boys unpacked and showered in record time so that they could get started on making the crown!
I made a quick filling by mixing 1 cup almond flour, 1/2 cup of diced butter, 1/2 cup of sugar (1/3 cup sugar if you like it less sweet) and 1 egg yolk. Once the puff pastry was thawed (about 20 minutes), I cut the largest possible circle out of each of the two sheets of the puff pastry that come in one box. I brushed red plum jam (apricot jam is traditional but I didn’t have any and no one could tell the difference!) on one circle, up to 2 cm from the edge.
The filling was then placed in the center and spread to 2 cm from the edge and I placed a gummy bear treasure on it. (In retrospect an almond would have been easier to find later!)
I brushed the edge with egg white and placed the second disc on top. I then folded and pinched the edges tight. Not to be wasteful, I cut some leaves out of the left over pastry and rolled some branches. After brushing the whole gallete with egg white I quickly arranged the branches and leaves, brushed them with egg white as well. After a sprinkling with Demerara sugar, it went into 400 degree Fahrenheit oven for about 20 mts or until golden brown.
Finally, amidst sparkling cider for the kids, white wine for the parents, searching for the treasure, eating the scrumptious Galette and a riot of laughter we celebrated moments and memories that make life what it is, to be lived. My mom’s life was an example of just that.
Gallette des Rois
Ingredients
1 package puff pastry ( 2 sheets)
2 Tbsp jam (apricot or any other)
1 egg white, beaten
Demarara or granulated sugar
Filling:
1 C Almond flour
1 egg
1/3-1/2 C sugar
1/2 C diced butter
Method
1. Thaw frozen puff pastry for 20 minutes
2. Make the filling by mixing all the ingredients.
3. Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
3. On a floured surface, cut out the largest circle from each sheet (about 9 inches in diameter) and save the scraps for decoration.
4. Spread the jam on one circle up to 2 cm from the edge.
5. Spread the filling over the jam.
6. Place an almond or other treasure over the filling.
6. Brush the edge with the egg white.
7. Place the second sheet on top.
8. Fold the edge and pinch it tight.
9. Roll and cut out shapes with the remaining dough.
10. Brush the entire surface with egg white and place the shapes for decoration on top.
11. Brush the surface of the shapes with egg white too.
12. Sprinkle the Demerara or granulated sugar all over the gallete.
13. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.