By PestoPistou Barba Juan, or Barbagiuai if you’re over in Liguria translates as ‘Uncle John’ and the relevance of the name for this delicious, local dish remains a mystery for most. In his book ‘Flavours of the Riviera’, Colman Andrews offers one or two possible explanations, and the one that …

This dessert originates from the Limousin region of France, but is often seen on Provencal menus. The beauty of this easy dessert is it can be prepared with almost any fruit, although strawberries are not recommended.  The traditional version is made with whole cherries (not pitted) otherwise the juice will change …

I have to admit, one of the best parts of living in Provence is the food! I am sharing today my secret recipe for chocolate Madeleines. I love them with coffee and they are just perfect for a taste of France at breakfast or anytime of day. I hope you …

By PestoPistou January seems the perfect time of year for a hearty beef casserole, a warming, bold dish full of protein and lower on fat than much of the standard Christmas fayre, unless you incorporate lard into your recipe as Jacques Médecin does in his book Cuisine Niçoise. With just …

This sweet dessert recipe combines some of the best local ingredients from Provence – almonds and seasonal pears. Gilles at Provence Gourmet brings Perfectly Provence readers his pear tart recipe. It is easy to make, and definitely will have your guests raving about your baking skills.   This dessert, made …

By PestoPistou I’ve written about chickpea flour before. On the Côte d’Azur and over in Liguria it’s the common ingredient for delicious pancakes cooked in large, flat copper pans. Topped only with black pepper in Nice where it’s called socca, Ligurians often add herbs or thinly sliced onions to their …

Sheep and goats have wondered the hilly fields of Provence for centuries – providing milk for all the wonderful regional cheeses. Larger animals such as dairy cows and beef cattle are not well-suited to the harsh Mediterranean climate and limited grazing land. The seasonal movement of the sheep and goat …

Where Paris restaurants trip over themselves to serve up Belgium-style, (that might raise a few French eyebrows) moules-frites to the tourist crowd, Provencal chefs are happy with their variations. Mussel farming is the highest volume shellfish industry in Europe. However, it is by no means contemporary, shellfish cultivation on wooden …

Bourride is a simple Provencal fish stew. It is made with white fish, and the broth is thickened with aïoli, a homemade garlicky mayonnaise. It is a cousin of Bouillabaisse as many ingredients are similar. The preparation for bourride is relatively quick, depending on the thickness of your fish. It is …

By PestoPistou For friends of ours who also lived in the area some years ago, any visit back to Nice involves a search for the perfect pan bagnat, and until this most basic of food cravings is satisfied, no trip is complete. Inspired by their enthusiasm, we have become fans …