Strawberry season comes early in Nice. By mid-April, the first fragrant strawberries from the local hills grace the market in my neighbourhood. And as if fresh berries aren’t enough of a treat, this delightfully fluffy strawberry tiramisu never fails to impress. Vive la fraise!

Très vite fait, très vite mangé, ce gâteau est parfait pour tenir le rythme rapide de Juin. This apricot cake is quick to make and disappear even faster. This recipe is perfect for busy summer months when the stone fruit are ripest.

Although we served this recipe as a starter, it could easily be the main course, if you increase the quantities. The trickiest part is stuffing the cannelloni shells with the mixture of mushrooms, spinach and cheese. Serve hot with a small side salad.

Personally, I have a love-hate relationship with the summer solstice. It is not my favourite day of the year when I know that despite weeks (hopefully) of hot weather ahead, the harsh reality is that the amount of daylight will continue to get shorter from here until mid-December. However, it …

Artichokes Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Tapenade. The combination of fresh artichokes, goat cheese and tapenade translate into “Provence in a bite” to be enjoyed with some chilled rosé.

When perky artichokes announce the arrival of warmer weather, it is time to revisit Artichokes à la Barigoule a Provençal delight, rich, flavorful and complex. Fresh artichokes are usually available in local markets from spring through late summer. The garlic, carrots and fresh herbs give the dish its flavour. You can make this dish vegetarian by omitting the bacon.

You might think that this recipe Candied Clementines (Clementines Confit) with Moroccan spices has nothing to do with duck but, in fact, it uses a similar methodology of preservation only in this case with sugar and corn syrup.

The poppy flower petals (coquelicot pétales) colour the sugar water and give the liquid a slight floral flavour. The syrup is easy to make and a refreshing addition to plain or sparkling water.

The most difficult part of this Lemon Thyme Grilled Trout might be finding fresh trout. If you have a reliable fish vendor, they likely have fresh trout in the spring and summer months. Ask your fishmonger to clean and remove the scales, so you do not need to worry about that messy task when you get home.

Recently, the team at Mirabeau Wine was joined by a Hamilton-based Canadian chef Jake Laderoute, for some fun culinary experiences in Cotignac. A tarte tatin is a classic French dessert, that one might shy away from making because it looks complicated. It’s not. Here, is what Jake and Jeany had to …