Merry Christmas from Provence!

The cafes are full inside and out today in Provence as everyone enjoys the mild weather. The baker is furiously making fougasse/pompe à l’huile for tomorrow, the local epicerie can’t seem to keep fresh mejool dates (that melt in your mouth!) and clementines on the shelves. There are towers of foie gras beside the cashiers in the grocery stores. Just in case you somehow managed to forget to buy some for tomorrow’s meal. I can’t wait to see the fish stalls tomorrow in my local village. Just about everyone will be buying shellfish and smoked salmon. The meal of the 24th, or Le Gros Souper, is more important here than the meal of the 25th. Traditionally full of Christian symbolism, “Le Gros Souper” is actually a simple meal of simple dishes consisting of fish and vegetables all served at the same time. The dessert, the famous “13 desserts” is a mixture of seasonal fruits (fresh and candied), dates, nougat, dried figs and raisins, nuts and finally a

I can’t wait to see the fish stalls tomorrow in my local village where just about everyone will be buying shellfish and smoked salmon. The meal of the 24th, or Le Gros Souper, is more important here than the meal of the 25th. Traditionally full of Christian symbolism, “Le Gros Souper” is actually a simple meal of simple dishes. It consists of fish and vegetables all served at the same time. The dessert, the famous “13 desserts” is a mixture of seasonal fresh and candied fruits. These include dates, nougat, dried figs and raisins, nuts. The meal is completed with a pompe à l’huile or fougasse flavoured with orange blossom.

Are you in the spirit? Here are a few vintage postcards to get you in the mood…

Vintage French Christmas Postcards

Joyeux Noel à tous!

Merry Christmas from Provence!

What will you be cooking this year?