The following recipe for seared lamb medallions with an Asian inspired tamari-ginger glaze is a happy consequence that I almost butchered. It wasn’t a special occasion, but I had a menu plan to pair with a red wine blend from Domaine de la Citadelle – Gouverneur Saint-Auban Rouge. The result …

While Calissons d’Aix are a Provencal holiday treat —they are one of the thirteen traditional desserts served at Epiphany — I tried my first on a beautiful summer’s day in Aix-en-Provence. Candy is certainly not the only reason to visit Provence, but for this sweet treat, Aix marks the spot.

What’s the difference between France’s Northern Rhône and Southern Rhône Valleys? The difference is latitude. There. My work is done. Of course, I’m just kidding, but let’s start there. The Rhône River runs in a relatively straight, north-south path by the time it wedges into France from Switzerland near Lyon. …

The Papal City Avignon is 40 km southwest of Sablet, snuggled inside ancient walls along the Rhône River. The largest town in the Vaucluse, Avignon is very old, full of history, art, music and activity. I can spend hours wandering the narrow streets inside the fortified walls without getting bored. …

Gayle Padgett and her husband Ralph maintained a long-distance relationship with Provence for two decades. They often travelled to the South of France during their vacation from US government jobs in Germany. As their retirement years approached, the “Where are we going to live?” question loomed. The couple chose a …

This spring when were house-bound due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it would have been easy to feel down. But, that’s not the way we roll in our home, we start baking and cooking to lift the spirits. When life gives you lemons you might make lemonade. I will always make a …

Emily Durand, the founder of Your Private Provence, decided to turn her Covid-19 lockdown experience from lemons into lemonade. She refined her ideas for small-group tour itineraries in Provence, resulting in a delightful combination of charming villages, gardens and comfortable accommodations. Vaucluse Vineyards and Views The eight (8) night trip …

A Writer’s Dream I will never forget the morning I received an email from an established cookbook publisher and immediately deleted it, convinced it was a scam. They wrote asking me to write a beginner French cookbook for sale and promotion nationwide. I quickly scanned the email, deleted it, and …

The following salmon recipe was definitely market-inspired. I created the onion compote with tiny I’itoi (pronounced ee-EE-toy) onions an old-world crop.

Here’s a recipe for chicken, carrot and apricot tagine that will take you straight to Morocco via France. Sweet, savoury, and quick to prepare. This beautiful tagine conjures up images of spice-filled Marrakesh. No need to go to North Africa, though, to enjoy this deliciously sweet and savoury dish. You …