How to Prepare a Traditional Three Kings Day Meal

Known by many names (Epiphany, Twelfth Night, January 6th) and celebrated by many cultures, Three Kings Day is a Catholic and Christian holiday that celebrates the arrival of the Three Kings to lavish gifts on baby Jesus. The day is commemorated in a variety of ways, but most celebrations include plenty of food.

Instructions

1. Bake a king cake. The king cake ("rosca de reyes" in Spanish) is the most important part of a Three Kings Day celebration. Usually made from egg bread and crown-shaped, the king cake always contains a small trinket hidden somewhere inside the bread. Nearly every modern cookbook or recipe collection has instructions on how to bake a king cake. Most cakes are flavored with lemons or oranges, candied fruits and sometimes brandy.

2. Serve meat. Every family prepares their main dish differently, but most families serve pork, ham, chicken or meat stew. Ask older members of the family which meats their ancestors served to keep the tradition alive.

3. Keep the meal simple. Most traditional Three Kings Day meals are not extravagant and have only a few options, although it is a good idea to include at least one vegetarian option. For example, in Mexico, it is common to serve a stew called Pozole Rojo and a Mexican hot punch called Ponche Navideno.

4. Consider making tamales. Although some Latin cultures wait until Candlemas (celebrated on February 2) to serve tamales, other families make it part of the meal on January 6th.

5. Cook other pastries to complement the king cake. In France, many hosts bake puff pastries and butter cakes for serving with the king cake, a good idea if you are preparing a meal for a large group.

Tips & Warnings

• Because Three Kings Day is celebrated in so many countries, there is no set formula or required recipes for preparing a traditional meal. It's best to make arrangements based on your own family's traditions and the preferences of your guests. Just don't forget the king cake!