Galette de Roi - King Cake

Yesterday was Epiphany, which I've learned is the day that the three kings visted Bethlehem and the baby Jesus. In Spain this is the day that kiddies get presents: they leave wish lists in their shoes by the door and the wisemen leave gifts.

In France they have galette de roi, or King Cake. This is a round pastry filled with almond paste and shared with family and/or friends. Wikipedia tells me that this is also a tradition in New Orleans and the southern US states, but the King Cake is more like a brioche with icing on top. There's a little trinket inside, and whoever gets the trinket in their piece is crowned king or queen. Each cake comes with a crown for the coronation.

What's odd about this cake is that everyone eats it with their fingers. In this, the country of silverware rules, they're eating dessert with their fingers?

Anyway, Wally decided to introduce me to my very first galette de roi yesterday. He bought a little one for the three of us, but David decided to go running instead and I went to Wally's place on my own. Well, since there were only two of us, Wally and I had to share the whole thing because shoot, someone had to be crowned king.

Wally heated it up, which made it extra tasty, and we delicately nibbled through the whole thing until I bit the little porcelain figure of a dragonfly. I am queen!