If you’re heading to the glorious south of France this summer, you can expect breathtaking landscapes, historic cities and charming villages, plus history, culture and, of course, la plage. And, of course, high up on your holiday hit list will be indulging in some of the fabulous regional cuisine, bursting with colourful vegetables, aromatic herbs and fresh seafood. Here are seven dishes to look out for while you’re there. Bonnes vacances!
1. Bouillabaisse
This iconic fish stew from Marseille was originally a way to use up the cheaper, unsold fish from the city’s famous port-side fish market. It includes various types of fish, shellfish, tomatoes, onions, garlic, saffron and herbs, served with rouille (a garlicky saffron mayonnaise) and fresh crusty bread.
2. Ratatouille
This flavourful vegetable stew is made with aubergines, courgettes, red and green bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic and fresh herbs such as bay and thyme. A delicious meal in its own right, it’s also great as a side with fresh fish such as sea bass.
3. Salade niçoise
The correct ingredients for this tasty salad are hotly debated, the original iteration being made of a can of anchovy fillets in oil and whatever veg you could get from your garden. These days, it also often (but not always!) includes tuna, hard-boiled eggs, green beans, olives and tomatoes and sometimes boiled potatoes too. Originally, it came without a dressing but these days you’ll often find it drizzled with olive oil and vinegar.
4. Pissaladière
This iconic and delicious tart from Nice is made from a dough similar to pizza dough and is topped with caramelised onions, anchovies and olives. Think pizza but with a distinctly Provençal twist.
5. Tapenade
This rich, briny spread made from olives, capers, anchovies, garlic and olive oil is ideal for lovers of all things umami. It’s often spread on crusty fresh bread, served as a dip with crudités or used as a condiment.
6. Panisse
These fried chickpea flour ‘chips’, which hail from the region around Marseille, are heavenly. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they’re often served as a snack or appetiser.
7. Socca
Commonly sold at street stalls in Nice, this savoury pancake, made from chickpea flour, water, olive oil and salt, is much loved for its rich flavour, flakily soft centre and crispy edges.
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