The following recipe for seared lamb medallions with an Asian inspired tamari-ginger glaze is a happy consequence that I almost butchered. It wasn’t a special occasion, but I had a menu plan to pair with a red wine blend from Domaine de la Citadelle – Gouverneur Saint-Auban Rouge. The result …

Here’s a recipe for chicken, carrot and apricot tagine that will take you straight to Morocco via France. Sweet, savoury, and quick to prepare. This beautiful tagine conjures up images of spice-filled Marrakesh. No need to go to North Africa, though, to enjoy this deliciously sweet and savoury dish. You …

Cocoa and Lavender reached a milestone 10th birthday in February – 10 years and over 500 recipes published. At the beginning, I had no idea what to write. I had never taken a food photo, not even surreptitiously in a restaurant. I didn’t have a clue about how blogs work. …

Petits Farcis are seasonal vegetables stuffed with a sausage meat mixture and then baked. The vegetables are often tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, sweet onions and even mushroom caps.

The word tagine describes two things a heavy earthenware dish with a conical lid, and a slow-cooked stew. The following recipe for Vegetarian Moroccan Tagine is one from our Pitcher & Powell Cuisine & Culture trip to Marrakesh in 2019.

My inspiration for Spiced Duck Breasts was a recipe in Food & Wine. The dish is an international fusion where a Mexican spice blend meets a French-style magret de canard. The blackberry-balsamic reduction adds a touch of sweetness offsetting the spice. The result was delicious despite not quite following my …

Sometimes life is just too complicated, too busy and too connected. Those are the moments when you crave comfort food, family-style dining and meals with friends. This roast chicken is cooked with saffron, rosemary and lemon. I served it with roasted potatoes and peas for a simple Sunday dinner. And …

Slow-cooked lamb (agneau) dishes are typical on menus in Provence. You see sheep herds grazing in farmers fields or often free-range in the hills of the Alpilles, Luberon, Var and Haute Alpes de Provence.

Students for our cooking class come from all over the world.  We have had the pleasure of meeting Americans, Australians, Asians, Europeans, and even a Candian couple who returns every year for a refresher workshop (or two). Without fail, whether these folks consider themselves cooks or beginners they want easy recipes. This recipe for Quick Coq au Vin meets that request, enjoy cuisine à la Française made easy.

When I was growing up, I didn’t know that our style of serving meals growing up had a name. I know it as family style now but then, it was just how Mom and Dad did it. It wasn’t necessarily a daily thing, but I know it was served that …