The most flavorful and moist olive oil cake you have ever tried. The recipe is highly adaptable to what you already have on hand in your cupboards.

This is a simplified version of merguez that my mother taught me to make when I was little. You can roll this mixture into a sausage shape or form it into patties.

A few years ago our family visited my cousins Andre and Lolo at their beautiful home in Southern France. The highlight of the visit was when my cousin Lolo made her famous olive bread. It was the best olive bread I had ever eaten. This kind of olive bread is also called cake salé, or savory cakes. Think of a savory coffee cake.

Poulet au Vinaigre, or chicken in vinegar, is a classic French preparation that you will find in homes as well as restaurants. At the onset, it sounds kind of overpowering and maybe even unappetizing. Rarely do we think of vinegar as an ingredient other than maybe in a vinaigrette. But when you try this poulet en vinaigre recipe you will realize your error and start thinking about vinegar in a brand new light.

One of the most endearing and favorite of all Provencal dishes is Petits Farcis or stuffed vegetables, also known as lu farçum in the Niçard (Nice) dialect. Petits Farcis are best made in the summertime when so many great vegetables, like sun-ripened tomatoes, round zucchini, and thin eggplants start to appear in the farmers' markets.

Trouchia is a flat omelet similar to frittatas that your family will never tire of; especially when your garden is producing more zucchini than you can eat.

The best thing about tomato tarts is they are very forgiving and can be modified easily based on what you have on hand. I have baked this tart with slices of tangy goat cheese or even shredded gruyere cheese sprinkled over. Or even pulled the hot tart out of my oven and dropped a ball of creamy burrata right on top.

Learn how to easily make French sausages at home. They are not much different than Italian sausages other than the flavorings. In France, these sausages are called saucisses de Campagne or country sausages. They are coarse cut with a highly seasoned filling. Perfect for outdoor eating and grilling.

Learn how to make one of the easiest and most flavorful chicken dishes you'll ever try. It is a Moroccan chicken dish called chicken k'dra which I adapted from Paula Wolfert's classic cookbook "Couscous and Other Good Food from Morocco". Moist, flavorful chicken simmered with creamy chickpeas and tender turnips.

The beauty of this dough is its versatility; you can shape it into small balls and cook like gnocchi, or roll it out into pasta sheets and make ravioli, cannelloni, or strands of pasta. If you don’t have ramp greens substitute more baby spinach. I like to serve the pasta alongside roasted chickens and stews as much as eaten by itself simply tossed in butter, salt, and grated parmesan.

Salade Lyonnaise is a classic bistro salad where either frisee (curly endive) or dandelion greens are tossed in a hot bacon dressing and topped with poached eggs and croutons. It originated in the city of Lyon, long considered the belly of France. You will find this salad on virtually every bistro in France. The good news is It is simple to make.

Quiche Lorraine is perhaps the most famous of all quiches. Purists will tell you that only bacon, cream, and eggs are allowed. Though it is common to find other ingredients like Gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, and even chives. The original quiche Lorraine may not include cheese, but I won’t tell anyone if you decide to add one cup of shredded Gruyere to the mix.

Carottes Rapées and other quick single vegetable salads like potato, celery root, beet, or cucumber, were made from pantry ingredients that were typically on hand. They are simple, quick, and healthy to eat.

Learn how to make steamed mussels the French way. The best moules marinières or 'sailor-style mussels' ever. The mussels are simply steamed in white wine and herbs. From start to finish, moules marinières will take no longer than 10 to 15 minutes to prepare.

A lot of people want to buy artichokes and don't know what to make with them. Today I want to show you the best way to eat and prepare artichokes. Learn how to make a simple Provencal artichoke and goat cheese tarte tatin.

I have made countless flourless chocolate cakes over the years. What makes this one so unique and special is the use of buckwheat flour. Despite the name, buckwheat is not in the wheat family at all, but actually in the same family as rhubarb and sorrel. I recommend Bob's Red Mill brand for both the buckwheat flour and the fine ground almonds. The idea originated from one of my favorite bloggers Beatrice Peltre in her first cookbook 'La Tartine Gourmande'.

Coq au vin is as synonymous with French culture as hamburgers are with American. It’s a dish I grew up eating quite a bit and still find very satisfying and comforting when I’m longing for my mother and dreaming of France. The sauce is packed with flavor and begs for a starchy vehicle to soak it up. Classically, boiled or mashed potatoes are served with it, but I think spätzle, noodles, or a creamy potato gratin work better.