Christmas in Provence: The 13 Desserts

In Provence there is a special Christmas culinary tradition.

In Provence there is a special Christmas culinary tradition. Family and friends share 13 simple local delicacies at the end of the Christmas Eve dinner. Curious? Follow us as we tell you about this quite recent, but catchy, Provencal custom.

The story begins at the foot of Mount Garlaban in the town of Aubagne … and always finishes in our plates!

In Provence, connecting religious symbolism to food has always been an important part of Christmas. So at the beginning of the XXth century a group of townsfolk in Aubagne decided to pair up a selection of 13 regional desserts as representations of Christ and the 12 apostles. The point was to highlight the delightful local specialties and imbue them with religious significance while also showing family and friends that you were wealthy enough and/or well organized enough to make it through winter with ease, and thus could share your bounty with your holiday guests. The desserts are presented and eaten on Christmas eve and the leftovers stay on the table for the next 3 days. Everyone picks from the table what they like. 

Now, how about we discover what they are?

A long list of magical delicacies!

The list of 13 elements is not precise. But there are 6 that you’ll be sure to find on the table each time. Of these 6 specific desserts, 4 represent religious orders: nuts or hazelnuts (Augustinians), dried figs (Franciscans), almonds (Carmes) and raisins (Dominicans).

And 2 are simply delicious: black and white nougat and pompe à l’huile which is an oily flat bread.

Other than these 6 essential items, there is a series of elements from which you can choose from in order to complete your farandole of 13 desserts:

-       Dried and sugared fruits

-       Calissons d’aix, which are candy-like delicacies made with almond paste and sugar

-       Fried cakes like oreillettes and beignet, similar to doughnuts

-       Candied fruit

-       Clementines

-       Quince paste

-       Apple and pears

-       Prunes

-       Oranges (which are a symbol of wealth)

-       Orange blossom Fougasse, which is also a kind of flat bread.

-       White grapes

-       Almond-based cake

What an interesting combination! And even if it’s not at Christmas time, we often browse the markets and offer tastes of some of these local specialties, especially things like the calissons, quince paste and the candied fruits of Apt. Want to learn, see, taste or do more? Look at our website!

Tour France (& the world) with Bliss and other Bloggers!

An Award! Love it! Thank you Backyard in Provence. We find your posts "blissful" to read as well! Ashley is living the dream, having moved to Provence with her husband and daughter. She gets to spend all of her time on exploring this amazing region - imagine if your vacation in Provence didn't end after a week or two!! We love her posts, and know that every single one of our readers and clients are jealous@The "how to" of this award is:

•       Thank the person who gave this award and write a post about it.
•       Answer the questions on your favorites below.
•       Pass on the award to 10 fabulous bloggers, link their blogs, and let them know you awarded them.

Here are my favorites:

Favorite Color – Red in Spring (for poppies) and Purple/lavender in summer for you know what! And, of course, oranges in fall....Do I have to pick one color for the entire year?Favorite Animal – Emmy the wonder dog (all of my clients know why that is....the rest of you will have to come on a trip to find out!)  --any clients who wish to comment on Emmy may do so freely below!Favorite Number – right now, 5 --the number of exciting summer trips we have planned!Favorite Drink – Rose in Provence and Burgundy anywhere else!Facebook or Twitter – Facebook --I like photos!Your Passion – That's easy --France--mostly Provence, the Med and Burgundy. That's why the business is named BLISS travels!Giving or getting presents – Giving. Love to see happy surprised people!Favorite Day – Any day spent in Provencal sunshine.Favorite Flowers – Poppies and anything growing in the Luxembourg gardens.Backyard in Provence "stole" some of my favorite blogger's names. So please know you also would have been nominated.Please click away and check out some of these blogs. If you’re on the list, please pay it forward….1. bobbieconti2. ENOFLYZ3. Foodimentary4. Lot18 Blog5. Rantings of an Amateur Chef6. Leslie Carterand related 7. Bucket List Publications8. FrenchWeddingStyle (Monique Mariage)9. My World of Food Adventures10. Travel Destination Bucket ListAll great writers, adventurers, diners --as well as visually exciting! Share the Bliss 

5 Ways to Know: It's Beginning to Look a lot Like....Paris at Christmas!

1. Christmas Markets...Biensur!2. Bouche de Noel...Fanciful Christmas specialties in every window! 3. Bistrots are all wrapped up like pretty little presents!4. Pizza is a thing that is served with truffles and sliced potatoes...OMG. You truly do want to lick the window. (The literal  translation for the phrase to "window shop" in French.)5. Macarons --in gold, with decorations, made to look like (yep, you guessed it) a Christmas Tree (or is that Treat).JOYEUX NOEL A TOUS!

Christmas in Paris: It Must be Time for Something…

Christmas in Paris: It Must be Time for Something…

You know --that moment after you've had lunch, and walked, and seen "everything"...there must be something else to do or have or see....cause this is so much fun!

So, how do you spend a day in Paris over Christmas week? Well, first you…

1.Find an out of the way, top of the top, Bistrot, with a star chef

2.You walk a mile and take the metro –to get there (and stimulate appetite

3.You order: Oysters Tartare with Cream of Lettuce or some other unfathomable but superb combination of ingredients

4.You walk the Christmas markets all afternoon

buying presents and drinking hot spiced wine!

1. 
2. Enjoy the sights!Stay tuned for DAY TWO!