I have always loved Provence and was very
lucky to holiday there with my parents and sisters every summer when I was
growing up. It was during another holiday, with my own children this time, that
I got the idea for the plot of A SPELL IN PROVENCE, my contemporary romantic
suspense recently released by Áccent Press. I could easily have chosen some of
the many stunning landscapes and villages the region is famous for my Top Ten
list, but I picked a selection of the tasty and foods and local produce I enjoy
the most instead, and I hope you'll enjoy them too.
So here it is! My Top Ten
list of treats from Provence.
10. Tapenade. Made from
finely chopped olives, anchovies and olive oil, this spread is delicious with
bread for the 'apéritif'.
9. Calissons are lovely lozenge-shaped sweet made of
candied fruit (usually melon and orange), ground almonds and covered with a
layer of icing.
8. Figs. I know you can
find them in England, but
they never taste as good as in Provence.
7. Savon de Marseille. The
best for all skin types, especially sensitive ones. My all time favourites are
Eglantine Rose and Lemon Verbena.
6. The candied fruits of
Apt. Beautiful to look at, delicious to eat!
5. The many colours and patterns
of Provençal fabrics. I prefer the yellow ones. They remind me of the sunshine.
4. Goat cheese. Hard or
creamy, with a piece of freshly baked baguette. Heaven.
3. Rosé wine. The Lubéron
region has beautiful wines, but rosé is my favourite. It reminds me of sitting
out in the garden to watch the sunset and listening to the cicadas.
2. La Tarte Tropézienne. Not exactly from the
Lubéron region, but its light brioche scented with orange flower and fluffy
cream are a delight. Did you know that the original recipe for the cream - a
mix of butter cream and crème patissière - is kept secret?
1. I had to place lavender
at the top of my list. Not only is it beautiful to look at smells divine, but
it has many medicinal properties for the treatment of insomnia, colds and migraine.
I hope you enjoyed my Top
Ten list. Did you ever visit Provence,
and if so, what food or drink did you particularly enjoy there?
