Black olive tapenade

Try this tapenade recipe for a quick appetizer with the authentic taste of Provence. This blend of olives, garlic, oil, and capers is a sharp and tangy spread for breads, breadsticks and vegetables.

INGREDIENTS

•     2 cups pitted olives
•     2 tablespoons capers
•     1 clove garlic, crushed
•     2 tablespoons olive oil
•     1 tablespoon lemon juice
•     pepper

 METHOD

       1 Place olives, capers and crushed garlic in a food processor and process until smooth. With the food processor on, pour in the olive oil in a steady stream to form a smooth paste. Stir in the lemon juice and season to taste with pepper.

       2 If you place the tapenade in a sterile jar and cover it with a thin layer of olive oil, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Although the French do tend to eat tapenade as an appetizer, you will also find it as an ingredient in recipes of Provence.

Marinated peppers

Simple, quick and delicious!!!

INGREDIENTS

•      3 large red bell peppers (about 2 pounds)
•      1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
•      1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (or more to taste)
•      1 1/2 medium clove garlic, minced
•      1 tablespoon chopped minced  fresh Italian parsley
•       Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 

METHOD

       1 Preheat the oven to 450 F. Place the whole red peppers, in the oven directly on the rack. Roast for about 15 minutes, turning if needed, until the skin is well scorched. Immediately place in a bowl covered with plastic wrap or in a paper bag, and allow to cool.

        2 Remove the skins from the peppers and rinse under cold water. Cut in half, remove stem and seeds, then cut into strips.     
   
         3 Add balsamic vinegar, garlic, and parsley. Toss gently to combine and season to taste with salt and pepper, adding more vinegar to taste if desired.

 Allow to come to room temperature before serving. 

Coconut red lentils curry

INGREDIENTS 

•     1 medium onion, finely chopped
•     2 tablespoons olive oil
•     1 tablespoon finely chopped peeled fresh ginger
•     2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
•     1 teaspoon ground cumin
•     1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
•     1 teaspoon turmeric
•     1 tablespoon curry powder
•     1 teaspoon salt
•     2 cups water
•     1 1/2 cups dried red lentils
•     1 can unsweetened coconut milk
•     1 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro sprigs

METHOD

       1 Cook onion in oil in a 3 1/2- to 4-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until edges are golden, about 6 minutes. Add ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add cumin, coriander, curry powder, turmeric, salt, and cook, stirring, 1 minute.

        2 Stir in water, lentils, and coconut milk, then simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Simmer, covered, until lentils are tender, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and serve with cilantro sprigs scattered on top. 

Gratin dauphinois

A popular recipe coming from the French Alps with slice potatoes and cheese.


INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds potatoes
• 1/2 clove unpeeled garlic
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup (4 ounces) grated Swiss cheese
• 1 cup boiling milk or cream

METHOD 

       1 Preheat oven to 425F. Peel the potatoes and slice them 1/8 inch thick. Place in cold water. Drain when ready to use.

       2 Rub the baking dish with cut garlic. Smear the dish with 1 tablespoon of the butter.

       3 Drain the potatoes and dry them in a towel. Spread half of them in the bottom of the dish. Divide over them half the salt, pepper, cheese, and butter.

       4 Arrange the remaining potatoes over the first layer and season. Spread on the rest of the cheese and divide the butter over it. Pour on the boiling milk.

       5 Set the baking dish in upper third of preheated oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the potatoes are tender, the milk is absorbed, and the top is a golden brown.

Zucchini and goat cheese clafouti

INGREDIENTS

• butter (for the dish)
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup cornstarch or flour, sifted
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 zucchini
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• 2 ounces plain goat cheese, crumbled

METHOD

      1 Set the oven at 350 degrees. Butter a 10-inch baking dish or four 5-inch individual dishes.

      2 In a large bowl, beat the eggs, milk, and cream. Add the cornstarch or flour and beat until the mixture is smooth. Salt, and pepper and mix well; set aside.

      3 With a mandoline, a hand-held slicing device, or a chef's knife, slice the zucchini paper-thin.

      4 In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic. Cook for 1 minute. Add the coriander and cumin and cook for 1 minute more.

      5 Add the zucchini slices and cook for 5 minutes or until they release their liquid. Remove from the heat. Add the parsley and chives. Toss gently and season with salt and pepper to taste. Arrange the zucchini mixture in the dish or dishes. Pour in the egg mixture. Sprinkle with goat cheese.

     6 Bake the clafouti for 35 minutes, or until the custard is set and pale golden.

Serves 4.

Radish salad

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups thinly sliced radishes  
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste

METHOD

       1 Mix radishes, rice wine vinegar and olive oil together. Cover and let marinate in refrigerator for at least an hour.  Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve .

 Makes 4 servings.

Mashed sweet potatoes

Easy and delicious sweet potatoes mashed with meat, fish or just vegetable.

INGREDIENTS 

• 3 to 4 medium sweet potatoes, about 2 pounds
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 to 4 tablespoons half-and-half 

METHOD

       1 Cook sweet potatoes in boiling water until tender. Let cool slightly; peel.

       2 Mash with olive oil and the half-and-half to desired consistency.
Serves 4 to 6

Bulgur tabouleh

An easy, refreshing and healthy salad, tabouli is made of bulgur wheat, finely chopped parsley and scallions dressed simply with lemon juice and olive oil.

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup fine bulgur
• 3 cup water
• 3 bunches flat-leafed parsley, chopped finely
• 2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 4 scallions, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 olive oil 

METHOD

       1 Place the bulgur in a large bowl and add the water. Set aside to soak for 20-30 minutes, then drain. Place the soaked bulgur in a clean rag and squeeze out any excess moisture. Return the bulgur to the bowl.
 
       2 Add the parsley, tomatoes, scallions, lemon juice, salt and pepper and stir together. Set aside for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to mingle.
    Adjust seasoning and stir in the olive oil.
Serve cold

Baked sweet potatoes

INGREDIENTS

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed, dried 
• 1 tbsp. olive oil 
• 1/4 tsp. salt 
• 1/2 tsp. paprika 

METHOD 


       1 Preheat oven to 425°F.

       2 Slice potatoes lengthwise.

       3 Toss with oil, salt and paprika. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place potatoes on sheet in even layer. Bake 15 minutes, turn potatoes, bake 15 minutes.

Quinoa tabouleh

This is a great recipe, and a nice twist on traditional bulgar tabbouleh. The quinoa gives it a very nice texture.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 tomatoes, diced
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 2 bunches green onions, diced
• 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped

METHOD 

       1 Rinse the quinoa well using a strainer or sieve. Place in a pot with the salt and 2 cups or 500mls of water. Cover and bring to the boil, then lower the heat as far as you can and cook slowly for 15 minutes until all of the liquid has been absorbed.

       2 Now turn off the heat, remove the lid and place a clean towel over the quinoa. Cover again with the lid and leave the quinoa  for another 10 minutes. Allow to cool, then fluff up with a fork and season with a little freshly ground black pepper. The cooked quinoa should be fluffy and the curl-like germ will separate slightly from the seed.

       3 While the quinoa is cooking, chop the herbs, and thinly slice the onions, diced cucumber and tomatoes. Add these to the cooled quinoa with the lemon juice and olive oil. Stir well to combine everything and serve fresh.  

You could make this, as it is a great dish to bring to picnics or potlucks where there will be a vegetarian.