Christmas traditions from the Provence, South of France

13 Christmas desserts, no less!



French people do have a bit of a sweet tooth. For Christmas, the main meal is serve on the evening of 24th before going to midnight mass. And in the South East of France, in a region called La Provence, an old tradition exists whereby 13 desserts are served on Christmas eve in reference to Jesus and the 12 apostles sitting at the last supper.

They are not 13 individual desserts as such. The list includes dried fruit, frest fruit, sweets etc...

So, here is a list:

• Les 4 mendiants (the 4 beggars):

         - Hazelnuts or walnuts

         - Dry figs
         - Almonds

         - Raisins

• La pompe a huile (the olive oil pump): Flat yeast bread made with olive oil such fougasse.
• les 2 nougats: White and Black nougats
• Dattes (sometimes stuffed with marzipan)
• Calisson d'Aix en Provence ( a sweet made with marzipan)
• Quince fruit paste
• Fresh white grapes
• Christmas melon
• Fresh oranges

This list may vary slightly from one region to another.

Do you have any Christmas traditions in your country? Which one do you still follow?  

Expats: what's in your suitcase?

From childhood treats to favourite local produce: a little taste of home

I have been living in England for 16 years. All these years ago, I left my country to start a new life (although I didn't know it at the time) and found a new home: London. What an amazing city! I could not go back. Everything I had always wanted was there on my door step.

But even though you can find pretty much anything here, there are a few things I do miss from my native country. These little things we grow up with. They put a smile on our faces and make you feel all warm inside. Do you know what I mean?

I was born in the South East of France, famous for so many specialities: Côtes du Rhône wine, Nougat, chocolates, olives from Nyons, charcuteries, cheeses and much more. Unfortunately, I can't bring back all of these things so here are my favourites:

No 1 on my list: Olives from Nyons - With herbs, garlic or spicy - They are so tasty!

No 2 on my list: Nougat - made from honey and almonds - simply delicious - lovely treat for Christmas

No 3 on my list: Picodon: a regional goat cheese (only if I travel straight home as it can be a bit smelly)

No 4 on my list: Crème de marrons de l'Ardèche (chestnut jam) - It's delicious with pancakes.

Photo: my kitchen diaries

No 5 on my list: Lavender (when in season) for its relaxing properties

I would love to know what you miss most when you are away from home.