Duck is simply my favorite food. In my Provence countryside kitchen, I decided on this rich and luscious menu for my Portland friends stay.
Every year I look forward to hosting this group of friends here in Mison. Like me, they are all foodies and love good wine. So no matter what, we always have a great time!
Artichauts Farcis - Stuffed Artichokes Provençal
An elegant first course for my dear friends here in Mison. Every summer when I’m in here in Provence I look forward to seeing and cooking for a few friends that live here in Mison. Once I met them years ago, we became fast friends. We all have a huge appreciation for good food and good wine.. and we all enjoy entertaining.
In the south of France, tarts are a staple, either savory or sweet. For my guests, I serve a tomato tart with an aperitif in the garden or salon before dinner. They are also great with a salad for lunch. And, because they are served at room temperature, they make a perfect dish for outdoor gatherings. They always look impressive, and are very Provençal!
I love the sweetness of roasted carrots. These glazed carrots are put in a sherry syrup and butter after they were roasted, adding another depth of flavor and sweetness. The recipe is based on Portland's Beloved Naomi Pomeroy from Beast. She roasts them first to get a little char.
I’m surprised how much I love these little green French lentils, also known as puy lentils. When I was a child, I hated lentils, mostly because of their texture. So, as an adult, I never took the time to prepare them. For whatever reason that I can’t remember years ago, I decided to give them another try.
I love starting with a cold soup to get the pallet warmed up for the meal. You could use the puréed soup recipe with other vegetables if you want. But I longed for the flavors of Provence, and fennel is one of them! I served it with fennel fronds and a chive-parsley oil. It was paired with a chenin blanc.
On medium heat, add oil, then leeks with some seasoning. Add a couple of smashed garlic cloves. Cook until leeks are translucent. Add zucchini and herbs. After about 5 minutes add half & half along and vegetable broth. Simmer until very soft. Purée in a blender until smooth. Put back in warm pan and taste for seasoning or herbs. Lastly, add a splash of sherry vinegar. Then cool in the refrigerator until an hour before serving.