St Tropez by Ferry Arriving in Port
ExploreTasha PowellVillages Towns and Cities

Arrive in St Tropez by Bateaux Verts Ferry for a Scenic Ride

Whether you arrive by car, yacht, helicopter or ferry, Saint Tropez is worth a visit! Park and Ride For a quick getaway to Saint Tropez, here’s an idea to avoid the frequent traffic jam between Saint Maxime and St Tropez. This is no exaggeration; the last 15-kilometre stretch into St …

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Les Halles - Quick Getaway to Lyon, France
ExploreRoad Trips South of FranceTasha Powell

My Planning Tips for a Quick Getaway to Lyon, France

Lyon is the 3rd largest city in France and the French capital of gastronomy! With its beautiful old town, many restaurants, museums and shops, there are plenty of things to do in Lyon. So, when my good friend wanted to visit a new city together, we decided on a quick …

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Summer Entertaining in Provence Apero dinatoire
Provencal RecipesTasha PowellTaste

Best Summer Entertaining in Provence Apéro Dînatoire

With the summer heat in Provence, I find that an apéro dînatoire is the best way to entertain. I prepare all the dishes in advance except a fig and onion mini puff pastry. Then, 30 minutes before guests arrive, I put out my spread and pop the pastry hors d’oeuvre …

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Soup Cucumber Grape Gazpacho
Provencal RecipesSoupTasha PowellTaste

Too Hot? Make Cold Soup Cucumber Grape Gazpacho

A friend of mine, Ulrike, first introduced me to this stunning Cucumber Grape Gazpacho last summer. It is a variation of an original recipe “The Sweet Life Cafe’s White Gazpacho” published on August 4, 2012, in The Los Angeles Times by Noelle Carter. Ulrike had the original article taped to …

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L'Appart by David Lebovitz
BeefMain CourseProvencal RecipesTasha PowellTaste

L’Appart by David Lebovitz a Book and Swedish Meatballs Recipe

While in Provence last fall, I began reading L’appart: The Delights and Disasters of Making My Paris Home. Why read about Paris ex-pat experiences while living in the South of France? I wanted to read this book for several reasons, starting with the fact that I love David Lebovitz’s culinary …

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Bûche de Noël French Yule Log
Cakes & CookiesChristmas & HolidayDessertProvencal RecipesTasha PowellTaste

How to Make a Bûche de Noël (Yule Log)

One of the Christmas traditions in Provence is called Cacho-Fio or Light the Fire. In Provence, Christmas evening begins with this ancient pagan custom. Cacho-fio is a ritual for lighting the Yule log (calendau, in Provencal) on the evening of December 24th. Together the youngest and the oldest of the …

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Fiber Optic in Provence
Expat Living and Real EstateLiving in ProvenceTasha Powell

So You Want Fiber Optic in Provence?

For those of us who work and communicate online, having a robust and speedy Internet service is something we usually take for granted. You click on an e-mail in your inbox, and it opens as your finger lifts from the mouse. Then, when you initiate a search, thousands of results …

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Fall Plating for Chocolate Pear Tarts
DessertPies & TartsProvencal RecipesTasha PowellTaste

Chocolate and Pear Tarts a Fall Dessert

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 …

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Quince Pâte de Fruit Recipe By Chef Tasha Pâte aux Coings
AppetizerProvencal RecipesTasha PowellTaste

Recipe for Quince Pâte de Fruit de Coings

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 …

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Make French Fruit Tarts Seasonal Recipe Variations
DessertPies & TartsProvencal RecipesTasha PowellTaste

How to Make French Fruit Tarts Seasonal Recipe Variations

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. …

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