February 15

Louis XV's Birthday
 

Asia Argento as Madame du Barry and Rip Torn as Louis XV in Marie Antoinette (2005)

After the dazzling, multifaceted talents and dynamic energy of Louis XIV, his great-grandson and heir, Louis XV was a major disappointment,  Crippled by his self-indulgence, promiscuity, laziness, and indifference to the political challenges within France and the rest of Europe, Louis failed to rule effectively and plunged the country into near bankruptcy and  caused his nation to despise the monarchy - the two factors that led to the French revolution. Louis seemed to be aware of the forces of anti-monarchism threatening his family's rule and yet failed to do anything to stop them. Popular legend holds that Louis predicted, "After me, the deluge" ("Après moi, le déluge").

Louis is remembered more for his series of mistresses than by any aspect of his reign,  two of which, Madame de Pompadour and Madame du Berry, captured and fascinated the world's' s imagination and interest for nearly three centuries. Louis XV has been a principal character in more than 30 films, many of which focused on his mistresses, Tthe most memorable portrayals of Louis were by John Barrymore in Marie Antoinette (1938),  André Luguet in Madame du Barry (1954), and Rip Torn in Marie Antoinette (2005).

Louis's first four mistresses were the de Nesle sisters, only one of which, Madame de Chateauroux, was attractive. However, like her sisters, she was a self-centered golddigger. She demanded a grand house in Paris,  jewels, and a monthly income. Any children that might be born were to be legitimized . Louis XV, deeply in love, accepted all her demands. Although Madame de Chateauroux used and abused the king, she was probably the great passion of his life.  In August of 1744, the king became seriously ill and it was apparent he might die. To prepare himself, he knew he had to dismiss his mistress and ask the queen to his side. When the people realized that she had been dismissed, they threw rotting vegetables at her carriage and jeered at her.

But Louis recovered and up with the remaining de Nesle sisters who were not only ugly, but also untalented, selfish, and generally unbearable. The sisters never bathed and the husband of one of them, the rather masculine Madame de Vintamille,  once remarked "'This bitch smells like a monkey." Due to their smell or Louis' increasing appreciation of beauty and class, the de Nesle dynasty was eventually replaced by the brilliant and talented Madame de Pompadour. Eventually her age, increasing  weight, and wrinkles led Louis to search for younger sexual partners  De Pompadour became the king's royal procuress, recruiting young bourgeois girls for her former lover's pleasure and who were placed in the king's private whorehouse (Le Parc aux Cerfs). Louis' aging sexual passions were eventually directed exclusively towards his last official mistress, Madame du Barry, who was required to produce aphrodisiac dishes to tempt the king's libido. However, du Berry also created a peach and almond torte which she named after her lover, biscuit de peche, a la royal (The King's Peach Torte) and which is our celebratory dishfor Louis' birthday We suggest pairing it with the 2005 Marie Antoinette/
 

Biscuit de peche, a la royal
(The King's Peach Torte)

1. Preheat oven to 350º F.
2. Butter 3  8x1/2" pans on bottom and sides. Place parchment or waxed paper circles (liners) on bottom of pans and butter tops of liners. Flour pans and tap against counter to remove excess flour.
3. Beat cream and vanilla together in a chilled bowl until stiff. Beat egg yolks in a separate bowl until they are thick and lemon colored (about 5 minutes). Fold yolks into whipped cream,
4. Mix flour, Sugar, almonds, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Fold mixture gently into whipped cream-egg mixture. Fold in diced peaches.
5. Pour batter evenly into cake pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes. Then invert cakes over cake racks and allow to cool completely .Carefully peal off paper liners.
6. Make filling by beating butter, sugar, lemon juice, and brandy together in a bowl. Then add egg yolks ate at a time, beating mixture thoroughly after each yolk. Filling should beaten until it is light and fluffy.
7. Place first layer on cake dish.  Cover top with ate half of filling (Don't frost sides). Place second layer over first and spread remaining half of filling over it. Top with third layer and dust with powdered sugar.

Serves 10 - 12