Galette des rois briochée
A new year, a new me. That’s what we all say to ourselves, right? I’m actually not one for making resolutions, at least not with the turn of a calendar page. As I told Isabella recently, every moment of the day offers a chance to resolve to be the best version of yourself. Being a teenager, she replied with an eye roll, but I think deep down she knew what I was getting at with my perspective on resolutions.
And yet, I do feel differently this month. It’s my seventh year greeting a new one without Michael, and while I miss him, there’s a peace I’ve not felt in a long time. The growing divide between my time with him, and my time trying to live without him provides a buffer, a perspective of sorts. I can see so clearly the different choices I wish I’d made, and yet I don’t see them as mistakes.
Wouldn’t we all do something a little differently if we could? I mean, that move to Maryland. I don’t even know where to begin. The experience, though, gave me deeper insight into what I not only want, but need. Acceptance for all I am—the quirky parts, annoying parts, sad parts. Acceptance that Michael may be gone but I will always love him.
Going through my old posts as I do at the start of a new month to do that little recap below can be a bit of a mind game. Words become a time machine, recalling memories of a life that often feels like it belonged to someone else.
Seven years ago I wrote about homemade yogurt with nary a clue that the following January I’d be at the beginning of a most formidable journey. And who knows what was going on three years ago because I wrote not one single post here. How bizarre is that?
This month marks ten years I’ve been writing in this space. There’s no record of that first year because it was a different site back then, called The Mama Chronicles. I think someone else owns that name now.
Ten years is a long time to be writing online this consistently, and lately I feel an air from some folks that is rather judgemental, not towards me necessarily. But, one person, a friend of a friend on Facebook recently commented “why does every recipe need to start with a personal story”? I just unfollowed the conversation, but it’s still been on my mind.
Why would anyone bother reading a blog if they just want a recipe? There are so many other places you can go to for that? I’m not quite sure there’s any purpose to what I’m even writing right now. It’s more a stream of consciousness I’m sharing. All I know is that it feels good to be back here after a little break to recharge my mind, my heart, and spend the holidays with my girls.
It feels right to be here, sharing my life, and the way food grounds me, makes me happy, and makes the people I love feel happy, too. So, new year, new me? Yes and no. I feel differently. Heaven knows I’ve aged a little in these last ten years, too.
And yet, the heart and soul of why I continue to share here is the same. It’s so natural to feel isolated in our own human experiences. If my words here make someone else feel less alone, and they get a recipe for what I think is the best peanut butter pie ever, realize you can indeed make a deeply satisfying soup from tinned tomatoes, or recreate a childhood favorite recipe for devil dogs in the process, well that’s simply the prize inside this cracker jack box of life.
Oh, a little word about this cake. January 6th is the Epiphany, also known as Three Kings’ Day, when the wisemen supposedly arrived bearing their gifts for newly born baby Jesus. I say supposedly not to offend anyone, simply because I’m at a spiritual crossroads. Funny how you can go your whole life doing something, creating traditions without really thinking about why or how. And sometimes even when you’ve thought about the why, there’s still deeper to dig than you realized. A post for another time (maybe, or not?).
Regardless of any religious beliefs, there’s cake involved, so sign me up (sorry Monsignor Del Vecchio). I usually make this galette des rois, also known as a pithivier, an almond creme filled puff pastry based “cake”. The kids love cutting into it to find the hidden fève (read more about it here), eat the puff pastry, then promptly scrape the very expensive-to-make almond filling in the trash. Last year we tasted a brioche version of galette des rois, more common in the south of France, and we all loved it. So, that is what I’m making this year (we’ve already worked our way through two of them—calories don’t count in January, right?).
Nine Years Ago: Seriously Delicious Ribs (made in the oven!), Buttermilk pancakes, Brownies Made Better.
Eight Years Ago: Parmesan skillet croutons, Homemade manicotti, Caramelized onion dip, How to poach an egg, Vegetarian French onion soup.
Seven Years Ago: Maple syrup poached peaches, Homemade Yogurt, Oat soda bread, Kale ravioli & white bean soup.
Six Years Ago: Clementine rosemary marmalade, Slow-roasted tomato soup, Whole wheat chocolate chip cookies.
Five Years Ago: 5-Minute pizza dough, Oatcakes.
Four Years Ago: A hearty winter soup, Magic custard cake.
Three Years Ago: Hard to fathom, but I didn’t write any posts here in January 2015!
Two Years Ago: Galette des rois, Clementine, honey & olive oil cake, Light rough puff pastry, Pasta & potato soup.
One Year Ago: Citrus, ginger & turmeric tonic, Homemade garlic knots.
This recipe is now part of my new site, Simmering. It can be found by searching the archives here.
Catherine
If you only shared a recipe and no personal story, I’d stop reading! I have a zillion cookbooks and there are tons of on line recipes, but only you tell your stories. I learn so much about me by reading about you! So thank you and write on!
Amanda J
Love the personal stories♥️! Love your writing;) you are gifted in many areas;). Happy New Year Jennie!
Heidi
I love your stories.
Wendy Banker
I love your recipes AND your personal stories! I am so much more connected to your blog because of what you share and the way you write. Hard to believe I’ve been following you for 7 years. My fiancé had passed shortly before that and your words and experiences gave me so much comfort. So, thank you for that.
Tracey
I have been reading your blog for 7 years now and you are the best! I love your stories and your recipes! Thank you!
Leslie Redman
I have plenty of cookbooks and gravitate to the ones with stories for each recipe. I love reading your blog and admire your forthright and honest tone. You are one of the blogs I check daily. Love your recipes and your comments. We are all journeying along with you.
Nan Howells
I like the personal stores, because they inform the food you’re presenting to us. Do these folks not watch Top Chef, lol? Your life is your life, and your generosity in sharing it with us is amazing.
I don’t understand why some people are so gunshy about others’ emotions. It’s as if they don’t have any, and they can’t bear to see emotions in others. I say, write on! And cook on, and thank you for sharing all.
Amy
Love the personal stories. I’m always happy to see an email from you in my inbox. Happy New Year to you and your girls!
Susan
Your stories are what draws us here.. it’s like you’re talking to a friend. I will admit, I don’t always have time to read right then, but I’ll go back and see what I missed when there is time. Can’t please everyone… just keep being you!! Happy New Year to you and your girls!! (I could picture the teen age eye roll you mentioned— made me smile!)
Jodi
Also chiming in to say I love your stories and your recipes. It’s so generous of you to share so much with your readers, and I appreciate it. All the best to you!
Diane
I enjoy reading your blog and have been following all along. I didn’t realize how many years have passed! They fly by faster than we realize, being caught up in the daily minutia. Over the years I have changed my diet and eat less carbs and sugar so I don’t try as many recipes as I used to but I still enjoy reading along and seeing how you’re doing and how your girls are growing. I think if we knew each other in “real life” we would be friends. When I read comments on various postings on facebook, blogs, etc I find I need to just stop and close the page – so many people seem to say things they would never say if they were face to face. What happened to manners and social graces? Anyway, stepping down from my soapbox now. Keep on keeping on, Jenny.
Damselflydiary
As a gluten free, pescetarian I cannot make or eat 95% of the recipes you post. And yet I read all of your posts. Why? I love the personal stories, the connection with your humanity. And as a childless midwestern woman married 31 years I have very little in common with you, except for our politics but I love you. Keep it up Jennie!
Catherine Dolata Diaz
I found your blog about 7 years ago because of your recipes. I stayed because your authentic voice is an inspiration. Don’t let anyone bring you down. Xoxo
Trisha
Oh my, for a moment I thought I was going to read you are ending the blog! I have been reading your essays for a very long time. I look forward to your recipes, thoughts, perspectives and life stories Jennie. You enrich our lives and your own.
I love this line…well that’s simply the prize inside this cracker jack box of life.
Thank you!
Keep writing…
Barb
Keep on!! xxx
Joyce Goodwin
Jennie, your stories keep me coming back, the ability to share one’s heart in a clear and heart warming way, but with a writer’s gift. Oh, I love that gift! Thank you.
Kristen Johnson
Your personal stories are why I click through! I love your writing. Happy New Year!
farmerpam
Also in for the stories, along with the recipes of course, and the Italian/Brooklyn/upstate thing. You’re a good writer, I’ve laughed and cried, but mostly cheer you on. Your writing, and the fact that you dare to bare the fact that you’re real, is what brings me here with a cup of tea once a week or so. I’m rooting for a book, then a movie, to be made out of your experience and this blog. Thanks for being real. Happy New Year to you and the girls!
brennie
Dear Jennie,
Your stories are what keep me coming back. You have an authentic voice in these frequently inauthentic times. Your vulnerability touches me, and your quiet strength moves me. For selfish reasons I hope you continue writing your journey so that we, your readers, may share in your hopes, joys and fears. For it is this space that makes us a community, though we may never meet or know one another in the flesh. I thank you for allowing us into your life.
Kim
love your blog…isn’t that why a person reads a blog…..people are so rude these days.
Armecia Lee
I do have to say, Jennie, that I love reading your blog as well. As you mentioned, there are TONS of sites on the web if you are just looking for a recipe, and I use that to find recipes. I read your blog because I truly believe in passing on stories. The more the merrier. I love reading about you and your life. Keep up the good work, and the recipes are just icing on the cake. (Oh, sorry for that pun! LOL)
Lysa
I love your writing and love your stories. It gives context to your recipes. Food is part of our lives, emphasis on the LIVES part. It’s hard to separate the two. Keep up the great work, storytelling and recipes alike. I look forward to continuing to follow your journey.
Laura
I don’t read many blogs as I don’t have much free time. I make the time to read this blog. I have for years. I look forward to many more stories and recipes.