Greetings dear reader and friends. I’m happy to report that we’re enjoying an exceptionally lovely December in the south of France. Although the temps have dipped, we’ve been treated to a lot of late-afternoon sunshine, and this is the first year (in my soon-to-be 6 years here) that we’ve been able to take walks along… Continue reading How to make a French yule log… Chocolate Ganache Bûche de Noël
Pretty stand at the Aix-en-Provence market. Greeting dear readers… or as they say in France… salut ! We are in the thick of the August holidays and honestly, if you’re not on the beach by 9am you just might find yourself hitting up the community pool… it’s busy, busy days over here… Not that anyone’s… Continue reading A fun and easy summer dish… Ratatouille Quiche
At the Sanary-sur-Mer market We’ve hit a bit of wet and rainy weather here in the south and while making this recipe, I realized one very important fact about fall comfort food… the smell of apples and pears simmering in a mixture of butter and sugar can go a long way to lift anyone’s spirits.… Continue reading Fall baking… Apple, Pear, and Almond Clafoutis
Ahh figs… there are few festivals we enjoy as much as the annual fig fête at Solliès-Pont – a small village in the Var department, about 15 minutes from our home in Toulon. And if you can’t tell from the photos, this festival is a food-lover’s dream. The streets are lined with gorgeous, plump figs in every… Continue reading Solliès Fig Festival + Figues à la crème d’amande
Greetings from a very hot south of France. We’re in the middle of what the French call a canicule – heatwave. I’ve still got a few weeks until my official “holiday” time, but summer is definitely in full-swing everywhere along the Côte d’Azur. And securing a spot on the beach anytime after 9am is almost… Continue reading Market Cooking… Quinoa and Ricotta Stuffed Peppers
It’s finally happened. After months of very un-south-of-France–like weather, we’re at the start of a very hot summer. And you’ll find no complaints here. After hearing more than my fair share of weather–grumblings from French colleagues and family (what, the French complain?), it’s nice to see those scowls replaced by big smiles … and complete wardrobe… Continue reading Market Cooking… Dark Cherry & Brie Clafoutis
As we get further into the heart of a Provençal spring, the more vibrant the markets become and the more interesting the cooking opportunities. Apart from the seafood and fish merchants, the real draw of the season is the abundance of fresh vegetables – tomatoes, white, green & violet asparagus, and more varieties of artichokes than… Continue reading Market Cooking…Tomato & Onion Tart with Herbes de Provence
