X’mas gets a French touch

North Sehla resident Maggy is all excited this Christmas season as she will get to savour the delicious flavour of her favourite Christmas cake, La Buche de Noel, which is also called as Yule Log.

As Christmas is around the corner, most of the cake shops and bakeries in Bahrain are filled with plum cakes. But Maggy is extra happy as she will also get a chance to relish her mum-made Yule Log.

According to Maggy, her mum Maryvonne is a great chef when it comes to preparing La Buche de Noel. 

Maggy, who hails from France, is a French teacher in Bahrain. She is married to Bahraini national Ali Sultan and has settled in the Kingdom since a few years. 

This festive season, she is highly thrilled to say loudly to her guests about her mum’s Yule Log, currently a centre of attraction at her house.

According to Maryvonne, who has come all the way from France, La Buche de Noel has a long history in Europe and the farming community there kept the tradition of making this cake alive. 

Another reason for Yule Log to gain much prominence among the farming community, especially in the rural areas of France is its  method of preparation.  Yule Log is very simple to make.

Maryvonne said that this cake does not require any costly ingredients.

“But the taste is yummy.  You will feel like eating it again and again,” she added.

“The cake has an attractive look too as it resembles wooden log. This cake is made up of basic ingredients like egg whites, sugar, flour, yeast. The cake gets ready in 12 to 15 minutes, when the mixed ingredients are baked in the oven at 180 degrees centigrade,” she explained. 

“Meanwhile, the cream is prepared using egg yokes, butter and cocoa powder. Later the cake will be rolled with a dish towel. The next task is to fill the cake with the cream. The last task is to design the cake, using your artistic skills. The most delicious cake is now  ready!,” Maryvonne revealed.

Maggy said that along with turkey, oyster and smoked chicken, La Buche de Noel has a special place in the Christmas menu. This time, her mum has already prepared as many as five La Buche de Noel, adding more colours to Maggy’s Christmas celebrations.