Photo Credit: Chronicle Books
The publisher of Under the Tuscan Sun brings you this title celebrating life in Provence. Written by award winning cookbook author and part time Provence resident Georgeanne Brennan.
It’s the story of her long time love affair with the region, starting when she was a young mother learning to make artisan goat cheese. Each chapter celebrates a particular food topic, such as garlic, long summer meals, goat cheese or wedding tarts. From there Ms. Brennan shares fond memories of that topic based on her many years spent in the region.
Some notable references? Gathering with friends to harvest grapes and the incredible farm lunches that were served for the event, the quest to learn to make artisan-style goat cheese, and some wonderful truffle and mushroom secrets, including slicing the mushrooms to string and dry behind the wood stove, similar to how I saw apple slices done by some family friends in my childhood.
Included after each chapter was a topical recipe with preparation and serving instructions. Did I mention the author runs a seasonal cooking school in Provence as well? A fact that has me extra motivated to try a few.
Personal verdict? A decent read. Recommended for culinary tourism enthusiasts, lovers of southern France, or those enamored with embracing cultures in depth as opposed to racing through the tourist stops.