Let’s be honest; no one can make French Baguettes without the perfect French flour, the correct French yeast, or a wood-fired oven. But I still want to bake something at home with the right texture and that distinctive crinkling sound when gently squeezed. Sure, we can buy decent bread where …

Playing around with this recipe for paella (Arroz con Pollo) took me years to perfect. Paella is a Spanish dish from the Valencian Community but is often found in Provencal markets. The exact ingredients are up to the chef, but this version was inspired by Jacques Pépin’s Arroz con Pollo, …

Last year, I celebrated International Grenache Day (September 15) by sharing a delicious cake created by Sue Tipton, owner and vintner of Acquiesce Winery, for which she doctors a box cake mix to make her Acquiesce Grenache Blanc Cake. Well, you know me — I love cooking too much to …

This recipe for Cremoso de Mote is my soft wheat berry risotto variation. It is a dish that we ate twice while visiting Easter Island in 2019. Soft wheat berries (trigo mote) are cooked risotto-style, then sautéed vegetables are added. I didn’t get an exact recipe from the chef, but …

We travelled through Morocco with friends staying in unique and beautiful riads along the way. However, it was the first trip we’ve taken in almost 30 years that didn’t include working kitchens. Cooking with local ingredients is one of my joys when travelling, and on this trip, I learned I …

You are correct if you think paella is not a typical French recipe. The origins of this rice-based dish are certainly Spanish, from the Valencia region. However, as with many culinary traditions, recipes have evolved and travelled within Europe and beyond. Most markets in Provence have at least one vendor …

Imagine discovering a new recipe outside Essaouira, Morocco! When I was invited to lunch by vintner Charles Mélia and his wife, Zina. They own Domaine du Val d’Argan, where they produce wine and olive oil. We were all given a tour of the winery and its beautiful vineyards. The meal …

Qunice, or coing in French, is a lemon-yellow coloured fruit that looks like a lumpy pear. Although it is a genetic relative to apples and pears, the only way to eat quince is to cook it.  One popular preparation is membrillo (pate de coing), a dense, sweet, sliceable paste often …

I always think of cream soup as being one of the most elegant starters for a special meal. However, cream soups can be a little tricky to perfect. Getting today’s soup just right has taken me a few tries. Checking many sources and heeding their advice, rice was used as …

Last year we travelled to Southern Spain. It’s hard to imagine how quickly the days have passed since that trip. This year we headed to Morocco. As always, for me, learning about food is part of our preparations for the trip. Markipedia is doing his bit to ensure we don’t …