On Saturday, April 17th I will be hosting a cooking demonstration for Alliance Française, Washington DC Chapter. (Link here to register before it is too late!) It got me thinking about all that I love to cook in spring time. After months of soups and slow-cooked meals that bring warmth and comfort in winter, in…
Riviera Recipes
Authentic Olive Tapenade
Tapenade aux olives provençal or, Authentic Provençal Olive Tapenade, is a delicious spread of olives, garlic, capers and often anchovies, that is served in the South of France. Most restaurants and market bistros will serve a small dish of tapenade accompanied with totis (Provençal for small slices of toasted baguette) or vegetable spears the moment…
Easy Branzino with Vierge Sauce
“Loup de la Mediterranée” is one of Le Chef’s favorite fishes and one of my go-to dishes to serve for a special Brunch/Lunch or when we have friends over. Branzino, as it is known in English, has a very delicate taste that pairs beautifully with the zing of a beautifully balanced Vierge Sauce. Juicy cherry…
Spring Asparagus Recipe with a Champagne Citrus Vinaigrette
This article and recipe for Spring Asparagus with a Champagne Citrus Vinaigrette first appeared in the Spring 2020 issue of Edible DC Magazine. Photography by Jennifer Chase. Words and recipe by Anina Belle Giannini. Le Chef, as I lovingly refer to my husband, and I used to live in his native South of France. We…
Le Chef’s Moelleux au Chocolat – the cake that made me fall in love…
Moelleux au chocolat (translation: soft chocolate) is also known as a chocolate lava cake or as a mi-cuit au chocolat. This recipe, Le Chef’s recipe, makes for a cake that is rich on the outside and decadently gooey on the inside – positively oozing with dark chocolate. How I fell in love with my husband…
5 minute Simple Basil Pesto Recipe
Pesto is one of my favorite ways to add flavor to a dish. I make this 5 minute simple basil pesto recipe almost weekly while we have fresh basil growing in our garden. Salads become exciting with a spoonful of pesto in the dressing. A plate full of pasta needs only a tablespoon of Pesto…
Sparkling Rosemary Peach Piscine Cocktail
On a recent trip to Balducci’s Food Lovers Market, the towering display of ripe peaches inspired me to make this refreshing drink. One sip of this Sparkling Rosemary Peach Piscine Cocktail immediately brings me back to beach days on the French Riviera. Legend has it that Brigitte Bardot herself coined the term “Piscine” to refer…
Les Petits Farcis Niçois (or Petits Farcis à la Provençale)
Step by step instructions to make my favorite French Riviera dish – Les Petits Farcis Nicois. Rich and hearty with fresh summer vegetables – a showstopper!
La Soupe au Pistou
La Soupe au Pistou – Provençal Summer Soup Those who follow me know that I love my soups, regardless of the season. I love making a BIG pot and portion it out to eat for the rest of the week; I then freeze the leftovers. As a working mom with a baby on the way,…
French Salade Niçoise Recipe
Here is a simple, tasty French Salade Niçoise recipe. One of my all-time favorite salads that is full of protein and with lots of good veggies. Perfect for picnics or long lunches in the sun. It is a guilt-free lunch that represents the French Riviera. With each bite I can imagine myself back in Nice,…
