I created this festive “swaddled” oyster recipe with vinegar, endives and pomegranate seeds. The cooked oyster recipe was inspired by ancient Roman cuisine, especially for producer par excellence Florent Tarbouriech from the Etang de Thau. Made with his famous “Special” oysters and their particularly sweet, iodized hazelnut flavour, this recipe …

A daube is a slow-cooked stew you will find simmering at a grandmotherly pace in kitchens across France, though the best known are from southern France. Traditionally daubes can be made from lamb or beef, though one does not need to travel too far to find pork daubes, bull daubes, …

Suppose you are looking for a fun gin cocktail. In that case, this ghostly gimlet cocktail recipe from Maison Mirabeau is frighteningly delicious if you are looking for the perfectly spooky for your Halloween festivities! Add a dash of activated charcoal powder to the cocktail shaker for that touch of …

Coco Mary Blignaut admits that she has had many lives in one lifetime. Born in South Africa, she has travelled extensively and now lives in Southern California near Los Angeles. An actress, film producer, writer and educator, Blignaut has written several books, including Mademoiselle Puss in Provence and now Our …

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 …

Provence is known for its delicious Mediterranean cuisine and fresh ingredients. Agriculture in the region benefits from a warm, arid climate making it a suitable environment for growing olives, grapes, almonds, tomatoes, zucchini, spelt (epeautre) and stone fruits. Traditional regional dining customs call for long, slow meals where you enjoy …

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 …

During crisp walks in Autumn woods, and admiring the rich colours of turning foliage, forage a handful of brambles from the hedgerows along the path. Blackberries are the perfect accompaniment for this delicious Blackberry and Rosé Cocktail, a “Bramble Cobbler” that shines with the citrus aromas of our Pure Rosé …