This chocolate and pear tart is a perfect dessert for autumn. Chocolate and pears are a magnificent marriage of flavour and texture. For this dessert, I also created a leaf design with raspberry coulis and caramel on a white plate (using squeeze bottles) and blended the colours with a synthetic …

I first discovered Quince paste (pâte de fruit) on a charcuterie and cheese board while living in Aix-en-Provence. Since then, I have learned to make my own, to the delight of my dinner guests. To serve the pâte, cut into squares or wedges and present with Comté, Pecorino Romano, Asiago …

One of my favourite desserts is seasonal fruit tarts (tartes aux fruits). These tarts also make nice afternoon treats. So, I make them all year with local, in-season produce. In California, you find puff pastry sheets at most grocery stores (Ralphs, Gelson’s) and at French supermarkets like Carrefour or Intermarché. …

Clafoutis aux Cerises is a classic French recipe that is easy to make and a delicious choice for cherry season. Some versions call for whole cherries, which ensures a juicy Clafoutis. However, you want to warn your guests that they need to be careful of the pits! I used California …

Hummus is a classic dish that originated in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions of the world as early as the 13th century. Typically made from chickpeas, it’s a flavourful paste that can be enjoyed on its own, with crackers, veggies, or used as a spread for fresh bread or …

Chef Liz Thompson and I had lots of fun delivering “Baking with Herbs,” an online cooking demonstration. One of the recipes was a twist on the French classic a Lemongrass Crème Brûlée. In just over an hour, we showed participants how to use fresh herbs and flowers from their garden …

The origin of the Apple Tarte Tatin aux Pommes is rooted in France’s Loire Valley in the small town of Lamotte-Beuvron. Born out of an unintended mistake in the kitchen, this tarte is the sweet result. At the time, the two Tatin sisters, Stéphanie and Caroline, owned and operated the …

Simple to prepare, these zucchini rolls bring together the abundant produce of Provence with the wonderful cheeses of Italy. Prepare the dish as a vegetarian main course, or as a side dish with a protein of your choice. I like to think of it as a lasagna without the noodles. …

A French cheese soufflé was part of a menu that I created for a virtual cooking class. The class Fusion Vegetarian Menu Inspired by My Travels in France and Morocco! included a delicious line-up of dishes. The menu included four vegetarian courses: a classic Cheese Soufflé, Grilled Moroccan Vegetable Kabobs, …

After the pandemic hit in 2020, I began doing Zoom demos of my favourite international recipes. The classes include a selection of French, Moroccan and Italian dishes. I quickly realized that it was a great way to stay connected with the culinary world and clients of Pitcher & Powell who …