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 complement 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 …

There is no question that my heart is equally split between France and Italy, which is why I run small-group Goût et Voyage tours in both Provence and Tuscany. The scenery is similar, yet architectural and cultural differences make travel in both locations pure joy. However, when it comes to …

Why does Mark get this 15 minutes of fame? Because even though it’s my birthday dinner, today’s recipe — his “Chicken Marccata” recipe — takes but 15 minutes to make and less time to eat, if you like it as much as I do. Yes, Mark can cook and could …

If you have never tried a dish with fresh black truffles, it’s hard to know what all the fuss is about. Once your tastebuds have connected the earthy aroma and the intense flavour, you begin to comprehend why chefs refer to these fungi as “black diamonds,” among other labels. To …

A slow-cooked meat stew, Grillade Saint-Gilloise, might be the perfect winter recipe. A hearty meat dish, this recipe typically includes beef or bull (taureau) chuck, onions, anchovy fillets, and capers. Sometimes called agrillade, aigriade, in Arles broufade, in Provencal broufado.  The key to this recipe is the long marinating time. …