Taste of Travel: A Picnic in Provence

Celebrate eat-outdoors season with recipes from a Provençal picnic basket of delight. We channel a southern French fête by using seasonal ingredients from local markets that not only hold up well in the heat, but also taste better when eaten under the sky.

While living in Nice and now, when conducting tours through the south of France, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing all sorts of street, market, and picnic foods. I’m excited to share some of my favorite fare eaten while picnicking on hills overlooking the Mediterranean or basking in France’s southern soleil.

Class begins with a demonstration of how to make a light Goat Cheese Herbed Tomato Pastry, White Bean Tapenade, and a Rainbow Marinade of Olives. And every picnic needs a sandwich, so Pan Bagnet– a Salad Niçoise in sandwich form- is a fresh, filling tuna/egg/vegetable sandwich popular from the French Riviera to Provence.  To end on a sweet note, we’ll learn to make gateaux l’abricot– a lovely little Apricot Cake.  Weather permitting; we’ll end our fête with a glass of rosé outdoors in the gardens.

Dig out your baskets and prepare for a special trip to Provence as Shawnie shares a slideshow and discussion of the local food traditions, wine pairings, and best Provençal markets.