Food is a fairly central feature in my life. I’ve gone to school to learn more about it, written a thesis about the importance of it, and my work is all pretty much in the industry. For me and those passionate about it, it’s not just sustenance. And it shouldn’t be. It’s one of the great pleasures of this life, and if you are lucky enough to be food secure, it’s your moral imperative to appreciate every last bite.
There is a long history with food and France, it once being the food capital of the world, though I believe that title now rightfully belongs to Bologna, Italy. Food heaven. But the French really do have some of the best products in the world. Their regional designations ensure quality production, they have fabulous weather to grow just about anything, and food is fundamentally rooted deep in their culture.
It's just that in Provence, we struggle to have a good meal out. Everything is so expensive, and often just average. And fancy. The French love fancy, and I don’t. I prefer deliciously simple. The ingredients are amazing here: fresh, ripe, local. There is no shortage of brilliant food; just leave it alone and let it do the heavy lifting.
So we find ourselves eating at home a lot, sharing ideas, recipes, and excellent local wine. My friend Sarah even makes her own sourdough bread (which is plentiful, one thing you don’t need to make yourself), so I asked her to show me how she makes hers. I wanted to make focaccia as it’s not something you can find here. Mine has always turned out fine, but not great. Even with her expertise, she had a similar experience, so we determined the recipes we’ve been using have too much water. Still, it was mouthwatering, served with salads, and the best Spanish anchovies I’ve ever had.
A rare evening out, it was fun, but…
One can eat extremely well and cost-effectively here, if you simply buy what’s local and have a feast at home with it. The best part is you can wear flip-flops and shorts; no one will care.
