three kings day

three kings day

candied fruit bread

roscón de reyes

I make this absolutely scrumptious sweet bread every January 6th.

These photos are of the one I made just two weeks ago.

There is no photos of it after I took it out of the oven

because  it was dark out by then. 

I hate photos taken with flash and 

by the following morning 

there wasn't much of anything left 

to photograph!

In Spain no home is complete without this special treat on 

Three Kings Day. 

January 6th is Spain's version of Santa Klaus with presents for everyone.

Nowadays most people pick up an insipid version 

at the local supermarket.

Some venture to a classy bakery and get a rather good one.

I prefer to bake my own instead!

I used super quality candied fruit 

(not that horrid artificially dyed factory-made version)

which I picked up at the farmer's market.

 A local man makes it himself

using only deliciously ripe summer fruit

and sugar.

This year's pick is made from locally grown oranges, 

green Claudia plums and honeydew melon.

I'll have to try making glacé fruit myself someday 

but it is so labor intensive that

really I prefer buying it.

This year I've also added almonds and prunes,

together with the candied fruit.

Now the real fun part of eating this sweet bread 

is sharing it together with the whole family.

 Inserted inside are several "surprises". 

The traditional roscón de reyes has only one such surprise.

The person who finds the surprise in his /her piece 

gets to wear a golden paper crown 

and be 

King/Queen for the day.

I don't insert one surprise inside. 

No.

 I insert MANY surprises inside, 

usually more than the number of family members 

who will be sharing this. 

I use an array of teeny ceramic figurines, 

coins, and big glass beads 

which I wrap up carefully in wax paper 

before I push them inside the bread 

prior to baking.

The recipe is based on one I've improvised on

and perfected over the years.

The original one I followed is by Penelope Casas.

She has written several cook books

with recipes of traditional Spanish food,

written out with standardized measuements

so that it would be easy 

to prepare in a typical American kitchen.

The book was given to me many years ago

by my aunt and uncle.

I've used it countless times

and have made many 

delicious Spanish meals, 

so here's thanks to 

my aunt and uncle 

and to Penelope Casas!

secret santa

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, secret santa, thank you !!!

I was so excited and had been waiting...

...impatiently. 

Finally, 

THE PACKAGE 

arrived,
just in time for 

Three Kings' Day, 

the 6th of January.

This holiday is much loved and celebrated in Spain.  

Presents arrive on camelback (just imagine!)

who walk all the way from the Orient,

bringing the 3 Kings with their majestic presents.

You are probably dying to see what I found inside the package: 

This beautiful and cozy scarf was handmade with love by Aldona. Thank you, Aldona! Nuosirdziai aciu! 
I've  been wearing it practically every day since I got it (no kidding!) and have it around my neck right now.

To see more of Aldonas' lovely creations, 
here's a link to her etsy shop:

www.AldysCreations.etsy.com

Thanks to the Lithuanina Team on etsy to make this happen!
Aldona, my personal Secret Santa, not only knitted my present, but she also worked hard to organize the entire event for our team.

Although most of us have never even met in person, we feel like the best of friends. The Secret Santa present exchange was the perfect way to express that friendship.