How to create the taste of Provence at home

Importing many specialist ingredients from France would quickly increase your shopping expenses, but there are a few key ingredients associated with Provence that can give your dishes a feel for the region.

“Olives, almonds and lavender are really standout ingredients from Provence, and they are all very versatile,” explains the chef.

You can add these types of ingredients to regular supermarket ingredients and create something very special, says Wareing.

As an example, in an episode of Marcus Wareing Just Provence he takes the cheap ingredient cauliflower and adds flavor by pickling it. He serves it with hummus, but to give it the Provencal wow factor, he mixes almonds into his hummus to blend.

As for lavender, Wareing explains, “It’s the floral herb that I personally love. It has a distinctive flavor and is incredibly versatile. You can use it in ice cream as well as in a marinade or simply sprinkle it through your salad. It brings so much more to the table than conventional floral herbs, such as rosemary or thyme.” It is also grown in Great Britain, so importing is not necessary.

In the series we see that Wareing uses the herb in two ways in his recipe for tempura battered zucchini with goat cheese dip. He uses a sprig to cover the dish and then drizzles lavender honey over it to finish it off.

When it comes to olives, Wareing says you don’t have to buy the most expensive options, but rather go with your own preference.

“The choice of olives in supermarkets is phenomenal these days. So it’s purely a matter of taste and budget, nothing more. An olive is an olive, regardless of which region and tree it comes from, whether it is pickled, fresh or in oil. So I guess it’s up to you and your personal favorites.”