Among Nice’s many attractions are its Mediterranean location and the fresh seafood. Octopus (la pouple) is one ingredient that often features in Niçoise dishes. La pouple à la Niçoise was a favourite of the local fisherman mentioned by Tobias Smollett in 1762. However, the recipe has likely evolved since that …

As you have probably gathered, I love French food and enjoy the simple formula associated with most recipes – fresh, seasonal and delicious. This recipe for Roasted Peppers stuffed with Goat Cheese is no exception. It is a simple dish with all the classic flavours of Provence hidden in the …

Today’s recipe is inspired by a meal I had years ago in Italy’s wine country – Montalcino. However, it could just as easily appear on a menu in Provence, where grapes are grown locally, and meatballs (boulettes de viande) are popular. The Italian dish, Polpettine con le Uve, not only …

This recipe for Roast Chicken in a Mustard Sauce is quite honestly the definition of simple French cooking, there are only three (3) ingredients, and it takes under a minute to prepare the marinade. The idea for the recipe comes from the late Lydia Marshall’s book A Passion for My …

As is the case with many of you, we take travel seriously. Last fall, we travelled to Southern Spain—Andalucia for the first time, and thus my culinary inspiration for these delicious Coquilles Saint-Jacques with a Spanish flair – Vieiras de Santiago. Once we know where we are going, the prep …

There is little debate that most things sound better in French than in English, and this dish, les Alouettes sans tête (English: “larks without heads”), is one clear example. In this old Niçoise recipe, thin slices of beef are stuffed with a mixture and slow-cooked in a tomato-based sauce. Like …

Colder weather in Provence, or anywhere else, is the perfect excuse for making hearty dishes and serving wines that compliment the earthy flavours. Below is a recipe for grilled lamb shoulder with a lemon, garlic and rosemary infusion from author, chef, and journalist Susan Herrmann Loomis. This recipe comes from …

Apparently, when Alice B. Toklas went on a picnic, she did not fool around. I say “apparently” because I can find no evidence that today’s recipe was either taken on a picnic by Toklas or is actually her recipe. I have an uncredited magazine clipping — most likely from the …

Similar to Marseille’s bouillabaisse, Zarzuela from Catalan is hard to pin into a category it’s either a hearty soup or a stew with a tasty broth. And with both soup/stews, there are endless different recipes. The following recipe for Zarzuela Fish Stew comes from Emma Kershaw’s Taste of le Sud …

Where’s the beef, you ask? It’s cleverly wrapped like a little holiday gift for your table! I often think of Beef Wellington as a holiday dish, but it’s perfect for any special occasion. Including my birthday, which is in August! A French chef might put you through your paces to …