Regardless of the time of the year, my to-do list never seems to get shorter. Sometimes I want it all to slow down – even just for an afternoon. And this olive oil lemon cake is my answer when you need that sweet treat and a well-deserved break. I decided …

This recipe for Roast Chicken in a Mustard Sauce is quite honestly the definition of simple French cooking, there are only three (3) ingredients, and it takes under a minute to prepare the marinade. The idea for the recipe comes from the late Lydia Marshall’s book A Passion for My …

The inspiration for my recipe for Chickpea and Spinach Gratin is Richard Olney’s delicious classic cookbook Simple French Food. It is a traditional Provençal vegetarian preparation that is easy to make and will impress your friends. In keeping with the book’s title, this recipe is an easy preparation that does …

Poulet au Vinaigre, or chicken in vinegar, is a classic French preparation that you will find braising in homes as readily in restaurants. At the onset, it sounds kind of overpowering and maybe even unappetizing. Chicken in vinegar? Rarely do we think of vinegar as an ingredient other than maybe …

Socca, made with chickpea flour, is the ubiquitous street food found all over southeastern France, most notably in Nice and, more specifically, around the Cours Saleya market. When cooked perfectly, it is best straight from the pan and served very hot, replete with addictively crispy edges and lightly seasoned with …

A couple of years ago, we spent a transformative week in the historic hill town of Cagnes sur Mer, widely considered the ‘Montmartre’ of the South and long favoured by impressionistic painters for its alluring beauty. Within five (5) days we went from our hurried, busy lives to a more …

Recently, I felt inspired to bake some delicious Lemon and Lavender Honey Madeleines. I hadn’t made madeleines since I left my last restaurant job several years ago. My madeleine moulds were still wrapped in the same plastic from the day when my pastry chef handed them back to me. The …

Poached pears might be one of the easiest French desserts to serve. The preparation time is short, and you can create quite a variety of combinations. It’s a simple dessert to master and can be easily altered to suit your tastes. To better understand where the dessert “Poris Belle Helene” …

One of the most endearing and favourite of all Provencal dishes is Petits Farcis or stuffed vegetables, also known as lu farçum in the Niçard (Nice) dialect. They are the perfect and easy family meal that can be served hot, cold, or warm and everyone loves to eat them. Petits Farcis are …

The holidays call for rich dishes full of flavour and lots of love. This quick and easy Christmas soup is packed full of sweet earthy flavours that you can pair with duck confit or shredded pork rillette (or even no meat at all, for the vegetarians!). Chestnuts are highlighted in …