Try This Spring Menu it’s a Flavourful Canvas from Provence

Ashley Tinker curated our spring 2026 seasonal menu. She is a fine art photographer and talented painter with a boundless appreciation for the region’s natural beauty. Born and raised in Montréal, Canada, Ashley is drawn to the history, culture, and beauty of Europe. Ashley is a fine art photographer and painter. She moved to Provence in 2014 with her partner Robin (he also shares her Francophile passions). Enjoy the springtime flavours of Provence with Ashley’s three-course menu featuring traditional dishes and seasonal produce, including artichokes, morels, and strawberries.

Once you get used to eating seasonally, there’s honestly no going back. No more white tomatoes. Tasteless strawberries. Stringy asparagus. Sometimes my husband and I recoil in horror when watching North American or British cooking programs with withered produce. We’re so spoiled now living in the Alpilles area of Provence, where so much is grown for the rest of the country.

When we first moved to France, our neighbour was flabbergasted when we bought a particular variety of strawberry two weeks earlier than the universally accepted date for when those strawberries were indeed ready. It sounds ridiculous, but now I understand. There is a way of doing things.

After living in France for 13 years, I have wholeheartedly adopted a seasonal eating approach. Yes, it sounds romantic, but the brutal truth of it is that you must gorge on whatever is in season; therefore, you become happily sick of that type of mushroom, fruit, vegetable, etc, until the following year. Months later, you’ve forgotten and actually find yourself looking forward to the new arrival. In March, it’s time to get excited about new potatoes, peas, artichokes, asparagus, various types of fish, and lamb, among other seasonal delights.

This would be my choice of seasonal spring menu. Garlicky, creamy but still light, I can imagine myself eating this in the dappled, blossom-scented light of early spring in Provence.

Entrée

Artichokes à la Barigoule a Classic Recipe from Provence

Once you have cleaned the artichokes this recipe is easy to make. The vegetables are essentially stewed until cooked and the flavours are allowed to mingle.

Check out this recipe

Plat

Seared Scallops in a Morel Cream Sauce

I created this French-inspired classic using fresh morels served in a cream sauce with seared scallops.

Check out this recipe

Serving this with an optional side of steamed asparagus.

Dessert

Tarte aux Fraises

A light and refreshing tart filled with custard and adorned with the season's finest strawberries.

Check out this recipe

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Full-Day Wine Adventure from Marseille: Exploring the Côtes de Provence Appellation

Join us for a captivating day tour as we explore the Côtes de Provence wine appellation! Your adventure begins by unveiling the beauty of Montagne Sainte Victoire, an iconic symbol of the area.

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Ashley Tinker

Ashley was born and raised in Montréal, Canada. She has always been drawn to the history, way of life and beauty of Europe. Her feelings for Europe were reconfirmed while studying art in Florence, Italy. Ashley says that stone buildings, colourful shutters and terra cotta tile rooftops fill her dreams and now her days.

Ashley moved to Provence in 2014 with her partner Robin (he also shares her Francophile passions). They are in search of the French joie de vivre, which they find at every turn in the local markets and natural beauty of Provence. This couple are indulging in local olives and wine as the Provencal sunshine changes craggy rocks into things of beauty.

You can see all of Ashley's blog posts on Curious Provence.

Take a look at Ashley's beautiful fine art photography on her Photographer in Provence website.

For more about Ashley's journey as an artist, please read her artist's statement.