JANUARY 21: CALF'S HEAD DAY OR THE MEMORY OF LOUIS XVI

49701 Views 6/02/2023 0 comments Posted By: Emmanuel Poulet-Harmel In: Blog of gourmets

 For some there is a tradition that many ignore: it is imperative to eat calf's head on January 21!
 
 Originally to celebrate the beheading of Louis XVI in the Place de la Révolution in 1793. 

 There  tradition goes back to 1794 when the citizen Romeau proposed to replace the religious festivals to organize each January 21 of the banquets serving the head of pig. 

 But from 1848 the calf's head will prevail under the English influence of the banquet celebrating on January 30 the detachment of King Charles I in 1649. 

 Whole and poached with a gribiche sauce (crushed egg yolk, egg white in pieces, mustard, oil to bind everything, capers or pickle). This is how Jacques Chirac feasted on it to the point of making this dish his emblem and having it served wherever he traveled (to the point of disgust). 
 Other recipes call for the calf's head to be rolled up with a ravigote sauce (vinaigrette with herbs and capers).