Sunday lunch – Regal style

Yesterday's lunch theme was Epiphany. I know; we were late celebrating this non-official holiday. But yesteday being the Sunday closest to this Christian event, my mother and I had a special ‘regal’ lunch. Regal not in the sense of ‘royal’ but in the ‘really-good-traditional-food’ way. I made a meatloaf, using my own secret recipe, and served it with boiled ‘kriel‘ potatoes (just google ‘kriel’ if you want to find out what they are) and parsnips, slowly braised in butter, vanilla-honey and thyme (don’t forget to add pepper, salt and a bay leave). It was delicious.

Peeled and diced parsnips, ready to be glaced in butter,
vanilla-honey and thyme.

For dessert we had a puff pastry ‘epiphany’ cake. I bought it ready-made from my favourite bakery. At 9.60 euro it didn’t come cheap, but it was excellent. Instead of the traditional frangipane filling it was layered with vanilla-flavoured apple and apricot sauce. It was nice and flaky, refreshing … simply gorgeous …

What was left of the puff pastry cake, with on top  the 'bean'
(in the shape of a tiny geisha sitting on an egg).

And guess who got the bean? Yours truly! So paraphrasing Helen Shapiro’s words: “I was a queen for a day … ” But what happened to my king?