Eggs in ramekins à la Parisienne

Eggs in ramekins à la Parisienne

This recipe is my twist of the classic eggs in ramekins. I cooked the eggs in bain-marie in the oven which I think is much easier than bain-marie in a saucepan. I was inspired by a recipe in a French magazine. But why did they call it à la Parisienne? Maybe because it has mushrooms, champignons de Paris, and cooked...

Colle du Maçon

Colle du Maçon

 There are no marked hiking itineraries up to Colle du Maçon (1417 m) from Col du Clapier (1257m), but several clearly visible paths nevertheless crisscross the long Maçon ridge. We used Caussols as our starting point as the GR4 long-distance trail runs through the village. We had last year hiked along it to Col du Clapier on the...

Monkfish tail, queue de lotte

Monkfish tail, queue de lotte

Monkfish tail, queue de lotte, is a French speciality. Monkfish is an ugly-looking deep-sea fish found in the waters along the French coast. It has a large broad head and a wide mouth filled with sharp teeth.Monkfish has a delicate, firm flesh and has been called “poor man’s lobster”. And you don’t need to worry about fish bones because...

Pié Martin loop variant (Tourrettes-sur-Loup)

Pié Martin loop variant (Tourrettes-sur-Loup)

 The following loop hike is just an extension of the popular Pié Martin circuit above Tourrettes-sur-Loup (400 m).Tourrettes-sur-LoupAlley in Tourrettes-sur-LoupStonebridge over Vallon du CassanMain road through villageStarting from the village, we passed the Chapelle Saint-Jean by the homonymous road, then continued along Route des Queinières  and Chemin Saint-Martin, all paved (Signposts #160, 161, 180, 181 and 183). At signpost...

Roasted potimarron with pasta and pecorino mousse

Roasted potimarron with pasta and pecorino mousse

The following simple but tasty recipe is inspired by a TV show on the French morning TV, Télématin. Their TV journalist visited the Negresco Hotel in Nice where the cheffe Virginie Basselot cooked her recipe. Since 2018, Virginie Basselot has been at the helm of the Negresco’s restaurants. My recipe is a twist of Virginie Basselot’s more refined recipe which...

Baou de la Gaude direct

Baou de la Gaude direct

 We wanted to explore a direct trail from Saint-Jeannet up to Baou de la Gaude (796 m) which is the easternmost baou looming above the village.We had observed a path on the southwestern flank of Baou de la Gaude which was not marked in any of our maps nor in any guides.Spring flowersVillage of Saint-JeannetBaou de la GaudeStart of...

Red cabbage with oranges, cranberries, and walnuts

Red cabbage with oranges, cranberries, and walnuts

The sweetness of oranges and dried cranberries makes this winter vegetable side ideal for duck breast, magret. It will also go nicely with pork chops or turkey escalopes.This vegetable dish is at its best in winter when the oranges from Southern Europe are in season.2 servingsAbout ¼ of a red cabbage head1 orange2 tbsp. dried cranberriesA small handful of...

Exploring Haut-de-Cagnes

Exploring Haut-de-Cagnes

 Chateau GrimaldiHaut-de-Cagnes is a medieval Riviera hilltop village famous for its artistic past. The village is well visible from the coast. The Grimaldi Castle, Château Grimaldi dominates the old town with its tower over 90 m asl.We visited Haut-de-Cagnes on Victory Day when both the Château Musée Grimaldi and restaurants on the Place du Château were open. We parked...