Today is the 16th of May and something I was reading recently drew my attention to the fact that this means it is St. Honoré Day.
Almost every day in the French calendar has a saint allocated to it. Some days even have more than one.
You might be wondering what is so special about St Honoré? In a nutshell (mixed metaphor alert!) he is the patron saint of bakers and pastry chefs. He was born in Amiens, N France, where he later became Bishop in the 6th Century.
After St Honoré died, processions were held in his honour and, according to legend, water shortages and floods ceased. This resulted in excellent wheat crops and henceforth he became the ‘favourite’ of all bakers!
In the 17th century, he was made the patron saint of bakers and pastry chefs. In pictures, he is often seen with a baker’s peel (a flat, shovel-like tool used by bakers to slide loaves of bread, pastries etc in and out of an oven) and loaves of bread.
You may have heard of a ‘Gâteau St Honoré’. This is most likely if you are a fan of ‘The Great British Bake Off’, as it was a featured showstopper bake in one of the series! This cake was invented, in Paris, in the 19th century. It is a ring shaped pastry which is filled with Chiboust cream (crème pâtissière and Italian meringue) and topped with small cream puffs glazed with caramel. To finish more whipped cream is used to decorate.
Ugh! I’m sorry but this is not my kind of cake. It is far too sweet and I don’t like cream. Although I do appreciate that it’s a special occasion cake and takes a lot of skill.
I’m more of a ‘tarte au citron’ person.
Have you ever tasted a ‘Gâteau St Honoré’ or even made one?
If you’re tempted – you’re a braver and more accomplished baker than I am – here’s a video that may inspire you.
That dessert looks too pretty to eat 😀
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It is very pretty but it doesn’t appeal to my taste buds!
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We have visited Amiens more than once but as yet never tried the gateau. Maybe next time we will. Or what I should say is that I will. James is more a pain au raisin
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I’m with James!
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Too sickly for me…and I have a sweet tooth!
I think I’d have to say that Tarte au Citron is more up my street too. Creme pâtissière isn’t a favourite but a soft meringue and Chantilly cream melts my taste buds!
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Yes, sickly is the word. I’m not really a meringue fan. My sister does make a great pavlova and my mother used to make the best lemon meringue pie. I don’t seem to have inherited this gene. I’m afraid I don’t like Chantilly cream either although vanilla ice cream with a hot apple pie is delicious! It’s just as well we all have different tastes.
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Interesting article. I didn’t know there was a patron saint of the boulangers, but of course there had to be in France!
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Only in France! Thanks for commenting.
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Wow…I watched the video in awe…no wonder this is a special occasion dessert…wow oh wow…but yes, it does look very sweet. Thanks for a fun lesson on France. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 🙂
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Thanks for commenting and watching the video. The skill required to make the dessert is amazing. I don’t think I’ll be making one! Glad you enjoyed the post.
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I love the French cakes and have just made mille feuille. I need to add this one to the list of ones to master but it does lookvery rich!
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Mille Feuilles are my husband’s favourite! If anyone could master the Gâteau St Honoré, I imagine it might be you!
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