Provence is an intriguing place for food lovers and what we like to showcase during our culinary adventures. Traditional Provencal cuisine comes from basic roots. Recipes are typically uncomplicated making use of seasonal produce, wild herbs (herbes de Provence), fish scraps and slow-cooked meats. Here is my recipe for slow-cooked …

Provencal Bistro Classic We stumbled across the Bistrot du Paradou quite by hazard, on one of our drives around the Alpilles villages. It turns out that we were quite naive with regards to this restaurant’s gastronomic reputation and its loyal fan base. We now understand just how lucky we were …

The traditional ratatouille recipe wants the vegetables to be brown in olive oil in a frying pan, each one separately. Do not peel them at all. All the vegetables are cooked with their skin to preserve a maximum of taste. Then, they will be mixed and will confit together in an earthenware casserole.

Often, comfort food is what we crave the most or maybe your Provencal mama’s cooking. The following recipe for Mama Régine’s Ratatouille comes from Cassis Bistro’s owner/operator Gilles Brassart. Cassis Bistro in Calgary, Alberta, delivers “South of France Flavour with Local Flair.” Originally from the Aix-en-Provence area, Gilles Brassart arrived …

Zucchini flowers are beautiful, delicate, and can be a bit tricky to cook. However, they are also delicious, so don’t shy away from trying this recipe below for zucchini flowers stuffed with fresh goat cheese and artichokes.

Risotto is easy to make, and a great dinner party dish. Prepare your mise-en-place in advance (wash the asparagus, and have your ingredients ready). Let the conversation flow while you stir the rice.

Carrot Flan was inspired by a recipe in Cuisine et Vins of France. Easy to make and perfect for a light lunch with a green salad

Ramp Pasta Made like Pate Nicoise: In Nice, they often make green gnocchi (Pate Nicoise) that simmers in the broth for the last 30 minutes. This year I tried something new, I made a classic Pate Nicoise (see recipe at the bottom), using wild ramps in place of the more traditional Swiss chard, and the results were stunning.

For this recipe, the potatoes are lightly crushed rather than mashed.  Enjoy crushed black truffle mash potatoes with shellfish or beef.

his recipe for squash puree can be prepared with butternut, potimarron or even acorn. Play with the cumin to suit your taste, but we like the slightly exotic flavour from the spice.  Serve this side dish with slow-roasted roasted meat or poached fish.