Provencal Winter Menu for Cold Nights and Good Friends

Provencal Winter Menu

Winter. Part of me wants to hide under a woollen blanket in the early evening darkness and consume copious amounts of heavy food. Bring on the butter, cream, fat, and carbs… put on the pounds and brace myself against the cold winds and inevitable rains and blizzards.

The other part of me – the part who most often wins the battle – looks at winter as a time of celebrations. Christmas. Hanukkah. Kwaanza. The New Year. Epiphany. Valentine’s Day. All days and times of light and joyous celebration. Our food should follow suit. It should sparkle, add color and texture, and lightness to our lives. And thus, my winter menu.

Yes, the menu has all the ingredients mentioned above – butter, cream, fat, and carbs. But it also is light, colorful, and happy food. And none of the recipes is terribly difficult, should you want to use them for one of your family celebrations.

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David Scott Allen

David Scott Allen is the author, photographer, and cook behind Cocoa & Lavender, a weekly food blog based in Tucson, Arizona. Passionate about travel, he especially enjoys eating traditional foods and learning local customs, whether in the United States or around the globe.

David's first trip to France took place when he was 14, and he returned as often as possible thereafter. However, it wasn't until his 50th birthday that he finally made it south to Provence. The beauty, history, charm, warmth, cuisine, and - of course - the rosé wines captured his heart. He shares his Provençal recipes here on Perfectly Provence, and his food and wine pairings monthly on the Provence WineZine.

David is a firm believer that sharing a meal with friends around the table is one of life's greatest pleasures. And if it happens to be in Provence, all the better!