cover image The Flavors of Provence

The Flavors of Provence

Isabelle de Borchgrave, Andre Charial, Jean-Andre Charial-Thuilier. Rizzoli International Publications, $29.95 (112pp) ISBN 978-0-8478-2610-0

De Borchgrave (a painter) and Charial (the proprietor and chef of a Michelin 2-star inn in Provence) team up to present a lovely tribute to the region of France that American authors like Peter Mayle and Patricia Wells have made famous. Too pretty to use in the kitchen, yet too practical for a coffee table, the book may find itself most at home on a bedside table, where readers may lazily browse through its recipes and its inviting images. Dishes like Striped Bass with Provencal Red Wine Sauce, Vegetable Medley with Fennel Emulsion, and Chanterelles and Fresh Navy Beans Fricassee in Olive Oil conjure up mouth-watering images of pleasant outdoor feasts. Borchgrave's accompanying paintings depict typical Provencal elements: piles of floral print tablecloths, fields of lavender and sunny terraces. In addition to the recipes, Charial presents sidebars on quintessential Provencal ingredients, from tomatoes to truffles. Anyone who has visited this enchanting area or is planning a trip there will enjoy this alluring volume.