In Provence, with ready access to fresh seafood use cod (cabillaud) or sea-bream (daurade). We decided to serve this fish and fennel chowder around our outdoor fireplace enjoying an al fresco dinner with friends.

In the Pacific Northwest, where fresh seafood is abundant, I am generally frustrated with the fish selection in our grocery stores. However, on one shopping trip, I stumbled across a package of flash-frozen ahi tuna steaks. Remembering a Provencal preparation called ‘Thon à l’Oseille,’ or seared tuna with sorrel, I …

Sometimes you need a bit of inspiration for cooking; in this case, it happened to be a friend’s trip to Scandinavia. This easy recipe for poached Arctic Char embellishes a classic french beurre blanc sauce. What could be better than butter, white wine with an exotic twist of pear and …

The following salmon recipe was definitely market-inspired. I created the onion compote with tiny I’itoi (pronounced ee-EE-toy) onions an old-world crop.

Romesco sauce originates from the fishing community in Catalonia, Spain. A place where red peppers, garlic and a bit of piment are well-entrenched in the local cuisine.

My variation on Salmon Wellington en Crôute includes other seafood (sole, scallops and shrimp), it was “born” out of necessity when we lived in Maine. Over the years, I have lightened-up the recipe ingredients a bit.

Marseille Fish Soup – Soupe de Poissons You will want to make a big batch and freeze what you don’t eat. Making fish soup at home can be a very messy, labor-intensive process.

This pasta dish – saffron spaghetti with buttery scallops – was created out of what I found in Susan and Towny’s fridge when we visited recently. Now in fairness, she had some lovely East Coast scallops on hand, but it was all about the butter.

The key to most (if not all) seafood recipes is not to overcook the fish. This Mediterranean Sea Bass is no exception, start to finish in about 15 minutes. The ingredients olives, tomatoes and garlic are typical flavours from the South of France, and many cuisines in the region.

This recipe for Involtini di Pesce Spada is Italian at its base; however, all of the ingredients found in Provence. It is not uncommon that the local fish vendor displays fresh espadon on their stand.