Bring a Taste of France Into Your Kitchen

On the weekend between my birthday and my mother’s, I felt a sudden pull toward this recipe, a longing for the flavors of my childhood. As I opened the book, I discovered something unexpected—her handwritten notes in the margins. Familiar loops and flourishes, small adjustments, little reminders, all in her hand. With each step, I could almost hear her voice guiding me, her notes offering a sense of familiarity. The scent of butter and rum filled the kitchen, wrapping me in a memory that felt both distant and close at once.

Inspired, I decided to cook lamb côtelettes with olives and pastis, alongside Monsieur Chabrier’s eggplant and tomatoes, all perfectly paired with a velvety red Bandol. One bite brought the warmth and sunshine of Provence, melting away the chill of a snowy winter’s day.