Online Cooking Classes with International Recipes

After the pandemic hit in 2020, I began doing Zoom demos of my favourite international recipes. The classes include a selection of French, Moroccan and Italian dishes. I quickly realized that it was a great way to stay connected with the culinary world and clients of Pitcher & Powell who love to go on culinary journeys and yoga retreats to Provence, Marrakech and Sicily.

I began developing themed menus and offering plating ideas for the classes. Since July 2020, I have taught 10+ classes, and I will continue to add to my offerings. The cooking classes have been a great way to collaborate with culinary vendors such as Easy Leaf Products and Melissa’s Produce in Los Angeles. The Zoom classes allow me to stay linked to the Perfectly Provencereadership. I usually live 3-4 months near Aix-en-Provence and am a regular contributing writer to this lifestyle magazine.

Selection of Internation Recipes:

A Trip to Morroco

Sweet Moroccan Cucumber Salad

This recipe serves 4 people as a starter or salad. Alternatively, serve as a side dish with grilled meat or fish.

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Moroccan Carrot Salad

Easy to make and a delicious side dish with roasted meat or fish. Also, perfect for a picnic or just because.

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Zaalouk d’Aubergine Spiced Eggplant Salad from Morocco

Serve this side dish at room temperature with other salads such as the carrot salad with slow-cooked meat or a tagine.

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Moroccan Tagine with Seasonal Vegetables

Preparing a tagine requires a bit of effort to clean and cut the vegetables. After that, it is all about layering and allowing the slow-cooking process to take over. Please note that your vegetable selection may vary depending on what is available.

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Moroccan Almond Cigars

These pastries can be made a day in advance as they are a bit time-consuming. If you get in the groove of making the almond paste, rolling the cigars, frying and dipping in honey – you will be done before you know it.

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Fusion Vegetarian Menu

Cheese Soufflé

Mastering a soufflé is a skill that every French chef and many cooks should learn. It is not difficult, but timing is the key. And, you have to serve the soufflé right away or risk that it falls. Enjoy this recipe as a starter course or a lunch dish with a salad.

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Floating Islands (Iles Flottantes)

This is a classic dessert with a few steps, but you can skip the Crème Anglaise and use vanilla ice cream (see "out of time" note).

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Summer Picnic

Picnic is a universal term for creating a culinary experience in nature with some of your favourite portable foods. The French, though, take the word pique-nique to an elevated culinary level! My experiences in North America pale in comparison to the memorable pique-nique outings I have experienced in Provence. Here are the essential ingredients for a Provencal Picnic.

Fall in Provence

Chocolate and Pear Tarts

These tarts are easy to make and a delicious finish to a fall menu. Make sure to leave enough time to prepare and rest the dough.

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Duck Skewers with Fig and Shallot Compote

It’s harvest season in Provence, and the colours of the trees, grape vines, and autumn vegetables are stunning. This recipe was inspired by my friend and neighbour from Eguilles, Barbara Pitcher, who has a huge fig tree and generously shares her crop. This recipe makes a perfect appetizer!

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3-Course Gluten-Free Menu

Panisse (Panelle, Sicilian-style) or Chickpea Fritters   

Panisse is very popular in Provence, although a similar recipe can be found in other places along the Mediterranean as I discovered in Sicily. Impress your guests with this salty, yet slightly sweet nibble with cocktails.

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Chocolate and Raspberry Towers

This dessert looks impressive, but it is not complicated to make, and your guests will love it.

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Food Styling Tips

The French style of entertaining called the apéro dînatoire is a favourite way of throwing parties in France. Normally, I spend time in Provence every year, specifically in the area of Aix-en-Provence! I love apéro dînatoire gatherings and the spontaneity of inviting friends over. When you mention apéro dînatoire, your guests will know that plenty of food will be served casually. This type of entertaining is the perfect balance between the apéro cocktail party and a formal dinner.

Tarte Soleil - Puff Pastry Appetizer

From the chef, "Provençals like things sunny and pretty, so this is a popular take on the local, traditional fougasse. It can be filled with any strong-flavoured spreadable mixture such as tapenade or anchoiade or a sundried-tomato paste or even a spinach/ricotta or goat cheese."

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4-Course Gluten-Free Menu

Ratatouille Tian Estival

This tian is easy to prepare. It can be served hot from the oven or at room temperature. This baked ratatouille casserole is a variation on the traditional Provencal recipe.

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Just Stuffed!

Stuffed Aubergines (Eggplant) with Garbanzo Beans

This dish easy to prepare and you can alter the topping ingredients to suit your taste. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Add Sparkle, Shimmer, Silver and Gold to Your Culinary Presentations!

Pink Elephant Martini Cocktail

This cocktail is festive, fun and easy to mix. Enjoy!

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Red Carpet Mojito

This is an easy drinking summer cocktail (maybe too easy). Gather some fresh berries, ice and mint for a refreshing toast to summer and the movie stars at the Cannes Film Festival.

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3 Quick Appetizers for Holiday Entertaining

Amuse bouche roughly translates into tempt your taste buds. These three appetizers are easy to make and can be prepared in advance of your guests' arrival. Enjoy Smoked Salmon Rolls with Horseradish and Granny Smith Apple, Crab and Avocado Spoons and Chicken Satays with your favourite cocktail.

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Culinary Adventure in Marrakech

As we exited the heavy wooden door of the hamman, my eyes smarted in the sun. How could it possibly still be daylight in the Medina? In two hours, we had been lathered, scrubbed, and massaged. It was blissful. This experience might best describe a Pitcher and Powell culinary-yoga escape to Marrakech.

Getting to Marrakech from Provence is an easy two and a half (2.5) hour flight. The riad selected by Pitcher & Powell is an oasis in the Medina with only eight (8) rooms. The hotel was renovated by the owners, an Italian-Swiss couple, who have lived on the African continent for 35+ years. The Pitcher and Powell guests enjoy the riad in its entirety. It’s a “home away from home” experience. Keep reading about our Marrakesh culinary adventure here.