We all agree that food waste is terrible, and in North America where shopping for many tends to involve large format stores with bulk packaging…often we buy too much. Even if you are a conscious shopper and dedicated cook like David sometimes there end up being some leftover bits in the fridge. Now, in Cocoa & Lavender’s kitchen nothing gets wasted so he created this recipe for spicy carrot goat cheese pâté.

My two favourites are mushroom with asiago and “tartiflette” with crème fraîche, caramelized onions, potatoes and lardons. When I go to Pizza Phil’s in Bédoin, and when I can’t get it, I make it myself. Perfect Pizza dough recipe (PDF) or print the version below.

These delicious chickpea fritters are known in the Mediterranean and a favorite Provençal dish. I found Panisse to be an incredibly delicious yet simple appetizer, a perfect way to whet your guests’ appetite before a sumptuous meal. 

This easy-to-make appetizer uses local goat’s cheese (chèvre), ripe tomatoes and fresh peaches with just the right amount of spices. The recipe (bouchees de fromage de chèvre aux epices) is found in Provence Food and Wine: The Art of Living

Devilled eggs might be one of the easiest appetizers to make. A bit old fashioned, this classic recipe was all the rage when our mothers were younger. However, the addition of truffle takes the recipe to a heightened level of sophistication. Truffled Devilled Eggs

Any easy variation on hummus with chickpeas and shallots

Entertaining should be easy. Invite your neighbours over for drinks and serve this simple appetizer – goat cheese with herbs or peppercorns.

There is nothing like summer for easy, unfussy entertaining. These three dips – olive tapenade, a goat cheese version and a caviar of aubergine – are Mirabeau Wine adaptations of Provencal classics. Provence is often called a cold country with a hot sun because as soon as the sun’s down you …

A dish of potted salmon might sound a little more British than French, but David’s idea was to create a pink-on-pink meal. The potted salmon appetizer led off the evening paired with a rosé from Mirabeau Wine.

This quick and easy dip is hard to share, but worth it for all to enjoy. Have someone who doesn’t think they like Artichokes try it, they will be pleasantly surprised and… hooked! Serve it warm, as an appetizer with pre-dinner drinks, accompanied by breadsticks, thin slices of French bread, tortillas or crunchy raw vegetables.