Pompe à l’Huile a Christmas Holiday Recipe from Provence
©Kristin Espinasse Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Christmas & Holiday · Dessert · Provencal Recipes · Taste Kristi Espinasse is the wordsmith behind “French Word-a-Day,” a blog she has written religiously for over two decades. While she no longer publishes daily, her articles are always a heartwarming chronicle of life in the South of France. Kristi is an American born in the Philippines. Her path to living in Provence was unplanned, arriving in France as an exchange student from Arizona State University in the 1990s, and, as fate would have it, she met the man she would marry, Jean-Marc. His family welcomed Kristi, sharing holiday traditions and recipes like the one below for pompe à l’huile. With Kristi’s permission, her recipe, which she perfected last Christmas, is below. This is how Kristi describes the first time she tried a pompe à l’huile. “My first encounter with this gâteau was years ago at Cousin Sabine’s. Married to Jean-Marc’s cousin François, Sabine often hosts Le Gros Souper at their family vineyard nestled in the fragrant foothills of la montagne Sainte-Victoire. There, I first discovered les santons and their bustling village scenes: little clay figurines representing the local characters of Provence—la boulangère, le chasseur, and l’homme ravi, among others.”
Simple Recipe for La Pompe à l’Huile
Born of necessity, the dessert originated as a way to save the last precious drops of oil from the press. Flour was used to "pump" or absorb the oil, with a touch of sugar added... and voilà! The flat cake was born, evolving over generations into the humble yet symbolic spécialité served in Provence during the holidays.
Equipment
- rolling pin stainless steel 16-inch optional
Ingredients
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- 75 g sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 60 ml olive oil preferably extra virgin
- 60 ml orange blossom water
- 1 orange for zest
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup warm water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
- Prepare the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange blossom water, orange zest, egg, and warm water.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients. Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring with a spoon until a soft dough forms.
- Shape the dough. Place the dough onto the prepared baking sheet and gently press it into a round, flat shape about 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) thick. Use a rolling pin if necessary. Use a knife to make a few decorative slashes across the surface.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let cool slightly before serving.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Books by Kristin Espinasse:
Kristin is a writer with a talent for spotting life’s lessons in daily encounters and putting those experiences into words. The book’s chapters weave through the realities of being a mother, wife, and daughter living in an adopted country with different rules, cultural norms and language nuances. Blossoming in Provence is a sequence of short stories with plenty of French vocabulary. Read Blossoming in Provence in one sitting or treasure this lovely memoir over a more extended period. Like Kristin’s blog, each chapter in the book includes some French vocabulary as part of the essay. By the end of the book, you will understand Kristin’s ability to embrace the written word in both languages and crack open the door to her family life in France. Book Review: Blossoming in Provence: A Memoir
Kristin Espinasse never set out to make France her home, but life has a way of turning plans into delightful surprises. After falling in love with a charming Frenchman, Jean-Marc Espinasse, Kristin embarked on a journey that led her to share her heart and humour with the world through her beloved blog, ‘French Word-a-Day.’ In her latest treasure trove, A Year in French Life, Kristin’s voyage comes to life through recent narratives that offer readers a warm embrace of French culture and life.
Book Review: A Year in French Life
Full day Wine Tasting Tour from Marseille: Châteauneuf du Pape, Gigondas & Séguret
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