Collection of Provence Summer Recipes and Menus for Easy Entertaining

Since summer entertaining should be a breeze, this recipe collection, designed with simplicity, features 20 easy-to-follow recipes and a few menu suggestions.

If you’re not in the mood for cooking, consider the refreshing salade Niçoise, the chilled gazpacho, the sweet fig and tomato salad, or the indulgent frozen nougat with nuts. One popular and effortless way to entertain in France is by hosting an apéro dînatoire (cocktails and lots of nibbles). Enjoy a laid-back evening with friends, serving local rosé, cheese beignets, la pissaladière, radish and green olive tartare on sourdough, and la truccha.

We have been fortunate to collaborate with our contributors and culinary friends for several years, who have created seasonal menus inspired by summers in the South of France. This year, we combined some of their delicious menus into a unique “Summer Recipe Collection,” available for download here.

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Provence in Summer

Summer in Provence can arrive overnight with a shift in the weather that generally has little regard for the actual date of the solstice. In early June, late spring weather is often unsettled, but it is a great month to visit, as it’s warm but not hot, busy but not too crowded, and finding holiday accommodation is still possible. July and August are usually hot and busy in the South of France. So, like the chanting cicadas, the day starts early and ends late. By early September, the weather is often ideal; it’s a little cooler with azure skies.

As the seasons change in Provence and along the Côte d’Azur, so does the culinary landscape. This menu collection celebrates the seasonal abundance and the subtle shifts in the produce mix as summer unfolds. In June, the markets are a sensory delight, offering strawberries, cherries, and apricots. July brings a transition, with fewer apricots but an abundance of zucchini, green beans, peppers, and the famous Cavaillon cantaloupe. By August, the local markets are a riot of colour, showcasing heirloom tomatoes in every shade. And in September, the anticipation builds for the first wild mushrooms, along with carrots, leeks, and squash varieties.

Provence Summer Recipes and Menus

We invite you to immerse yourself in Provencal cuisine’s unique charm and entertain with this summer recipe collection. Discover the art of hosting in the relaxed Provence style, focusing on simple, fresh ingredients and conviviality. This seasonal collection features 20 recipes, including starters, main courses, side dishes, and desserts. Each recipe is a labour of love, with the list of ingredients, required equipment, and step-by-step instructions meticulously crafted. Featuring seasonal ingredients such as tomatoes, figs, goat cheese, and chard, we hope this Summer Recipe Collection helps with ideas for easy entertaining: dinner parties, picnics, and family meals.

We look forward to your feedback on our latest collection of Provence recipes. Your menu ideas and other comments are welcome and integral to our community. Please share them with us by email or social media.

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).