Provencal cooking originates from the southeast of France. It is part of the Mediterranean cuisine. We focus on both Provencal cooking as well as the Mediterranean cuisine of southern France.
So you want to dabble in Provencal Cooking? Well you’ll need to have these 5 ingredients in your pantry: Olive oil, garlic, onion, tomato & bell peppers. Any dish calling itself “a la provençale” will very likely have most of, if not all of these ingredients. Provencal cooking is a healthy cuisine. It is lighter, and vitamin rich so you can enjoy it with little to no guilt.
Some spices which you will find in Provencal cooking are of course herbs de Provence – which is a mix of rosemary, thyme, . . . ., saffron & star anise.
Provencal cooking originates from the southeast of France. It is part of the Mediterranean cuisine. We focus on both Provencal cooking as well as the Mediterranean cuisine of southern France.
We imagine that Provencal cooking is a quick cooking method but in reality there are many Provencal dishes that require time to simmer, time to reduce and time to gain in flavor. The fact that when they present Provencal cooking to us in a restaurant, that we think it was a snap to whip up, is a testament to the great skill of the Provencal cook.
The way we approach Provencal cooking at Cook’n With Class Uzès, is by using perfect seasonal products cooked simply to ensure that the flavor of the product is exactly what we are looking for. In the Summer you can expect more dishes including, ratatouille which is made of eggplant, zucchini, tomato, bell peppers, onion & garlic. In the Winter your Provencal cooking could include bouillabaisse using fennel, leeks, onion & carrot. Not to say that you can’t have a bouillabaisse in Summer since the ingredients are available almost year-round but each season typically has its dish.
A typical dish that you may find on the menu of a Provençal restaurant is Squid a la Provençal. Check out our recipe below and enjoy a delicious taste of the south of France.
Stuffed Squid A la Sètois
Serves
6
Prep Time
30 min
Cooking Time
90 Min
Difficulty
Medium
Season
All Seasons
Ingredients:
6 medium squid
250 gr. / 8.8 oz. ground pork
100 gr. / 3.5 oz. choriz0 fresh
20 gr. / 0.7 oz. garlic
fresh thyme and rosemary
5 gr. / 0.2 oz. piment espelette
salt pepper
57 gr. / 2 oz. Ricard or pernod
85 gr. / 3 oz. olive oil
2 tomato
5 pistils saffron
basil and parsley. bay leaf, cilantro
1 slice bread
28 gr. / 1 oz. milk
2 shallots
200 gr. / 7.1 oz. rice (best is red from Camargue)
2 l. fish stock or water
Procedure:
In a large bowl mix: pork, chorizo, basil, cilantro and parsley (chopped), piment, bread, milk, salt and pepper.
Cut off the head of the squid and keep for later frying. Clean the squid and the head careful.
Stuff the squid body (but not too much or it will explode when it will cook) with your stuffing, close it with a toothpick.
The sauce:
in a large saucepan, warm the olive oil, ad the the chopped tomato, chopped shallot and garlic, bay leaf, thym, rosemary, saffron. cook it well and ad the fish stock or water. salt pepper and then add the squid.
Cook for 90 mn with a lid on a reduce heat burner (slowly slowly). Dip the Squid head in milk, then in flour and deep fry it, 2 or 3 mn is enough
Cook your rice the way you like and serve with the stuffed squid and the fried head
Our French Cooking Classes
Let’s Eat Uzès! Week in Uzès – A Provencal Cooking Vacation in Southern France
8-day culinary holiday in southern France. Hands-on French cooking classes. Explore markets, visit producers, and be immersed in French cuisine. All skill levels are welcome. 7-nights lodging included.
Let’s Eat Parma – Food & Wine Holiday in Parma, Italy
Embark on a 7-day culinary adventure in Parma, Italy. Experience 6 nights of authentic pasta crafting, exquisite prosciutto tastings, and explorations of Italian wines. Perfect for enthusiasts of food and wine.
Let’s Eat Colombia – Cartagena & Medellin: Colombia Food Tour
Experience Colombia’s vibrant food scene with cooking classes, market tours, and cultural excursions. Taste traditional dishes and immerse yourself in Colombia’s rich history and transformation in this unique, immersive food tour.
Let’s Eat Seville – Cooking Holidays in Spain
8 days of cooking, tapas, wine, & flamenco in Andalusia. A culinary tour in Seville for food & wine lovers. Explore markets, taste with us & enjoy! All skill levels are welcome. 7-nights lodging included.
Let’s Eat Georgia! Explore Georgia 🇬🇪
Join us for an 8-day, 9-night culinary holiday taking you from Tbilisi, Georgia to the Georgian countryside and back. This is a food & wine lover’s dream holiday where hospitable local guides will lead you on a cultural and gastronomical journey
Let’s Eat Paris – French Cooking Tours in Paris
5.5 days of pure foodie love. A French culinary tour in Paris filled with food, wine, & cooking? Yes, please! Join our chefs & guides on a gastronomic journey through French cuisine à la Parisienne, Champagne & wine tasting, & more. Jump in!
Private Sessions – Private Online Cooking Classes
Take part in private online cooking classes with friends & family. We’re bringing great cooking experiences straight into your home kitchen through an interactive online cooking class. Cook along with your chef, ask questions, and enjoy!
Let’s Eat Seville: 6-Day Seville Food Tour
Seville, Spain is calling. Join a Seville Food Tour with a chef by your side. 6-day, 5-night Spanish cooking, tapas & wine tasting tour. A mini version of our longer Let’s Eat Seville tour and a chance to discover the Andalusian capital through its food & wine.
Let’s Eat Bread – 3-Day Bread Masterclass
This 3-day Bread master class is perfect for anyone who would like to learn how to make, maintain and use a starter. Learn to make better bread at home like a pro. We’ll teach you the techniques you need to beef up your bread-making skills. Open to bakers of all levels.
