Provence from Fayence: Provence Guide

Pastis spices weapon against bird flu

I gave evidence that drinkers of the ever-popular Provence drink Pastis will be safe from the ravages of bird flu.

How so? The man from Ricard explains all: "From this one plant (Star Ansise) you can make both a drink -- pastis  -- and a pharmaceutical product, Tamiflu," said Albert Elgrissy, communications director for the pastis maker Ricard in Marseille. "To make pastis, Pernod Ricard adds anethol -- an essential oil extracted from star anise -- in a ratio of two to one thousand to liquorice, sage, lavender and other herbs of Provence. Meanwhile the Swiss Roche laboratories extract shikimic acid from the plant's woody part. This acid is a molecule needed to produce Tamiflu. Thirteen grams (0.46 ounces) of star anise are required to produce 10 Tamiflu capsules prescribed to treat a person contaminated with avian flu."

Wolf Rilla R.I.P.

I was sorry to hear of the passing away of Wolf Rilla, who owned the Camandoule Restaurant in Fayence in conjunction with his wife, Shirley. I had not been aware of Mr. Rilla's distinguished past, my only contact through the rather good cuisine at the Camandoule which I have enjoyed all year round. Our condolences to his wife and family.

Provence on a shoe-string

Hardeep from Delhi is heading to the French Riviera on a business trip, I read in Mumbai's Indian Express. Hardeep is strapped for cash, but wants to check out the best spots. Vijay Chadda, a knowledgeable traveller of the globe, offers his advice, which I relay in full so that other visitors to Provence can benefit from his insight:

"The must visit destinations in the French Riviera are Nice (famous for beaches), Monte Carlo (Casino), Cannes (best known for the International film festival held) and Grasse (where the French perfume factories are located ). France is an expensive destination and the best way to cover the area is by rail. Incase you know the exact dates of travel and the sector of travel then it is recommended that you purchase point to point sector tickets or else rail passes."

The French use bicycles and I have long suspected them of inflating their prices for tourists. Vijay has confirmed my worst fears. Hardeep - if you like a good railway journey - I can recommend the Train des Pignes, which goes all the way to Digne in 3 hours through spectacular mountain scenery.

Baguette recipe

Fraise brings my attention to this classy recipe for baguettes: Moukraines à la glaviouse. I am sure that moukraines are popular with the Monsois, my locals.

Cassoulet recipe for 100

A few friends drop by unexpectedly and suddenly you find yourself cooking for 100. Holy moly! How about whipping up a quick cassoulet? Just add 6 ducks, 3 bottles of dry white wine, 2 geese, 3 legs of lamb etc. etc.

Read how to sling that 100-person cassoulet together on CD Kitchen: "just whip one up". I guess a large vat will come in handy, but it just says two large pots.

Paintings of Provence

If you're in Montreal, you might take a look at a gallery of paintings of Provence at this exhibition "Right under the Sun: Landscape in Provence, from Classicism to Modernism (1750-1930)," Sept. 22, 2005-Jan. 8, 2006, at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

I liked Cezanne's "Houses in Provence" and Monet's "Antibes", which I sneakily link to here. Plus, if you follow the link, there's lots of commentary if you like a bit of analysis.

Holiday reads

The official Time Magazine Top 100 novels of all time list. Read them all on your next holiday in Provence. (OK - the link is tenuous).

Mons en Provence vs. Lanarkshire

I have got it all wrong. Instead of opting for a charrming, rural Mas in Mons-en-Provence, I should have invested in Lanarkshire (somewhere in Scotland for non-British readers), according to the Daily Record. Because of a 36% house price hike, "the massive increases mean the Lanarkshire town is rivalling places such as the Cote D'Azur in France as THE place to live." Except the sun. And the scent of lavender. And all the other things that Provence has to offer.

I am really not going to argue.

Oustau de Baumaniere

Two star Michelin chef Jean-Andre Charial from the highly successful Oustau de Baumaniere has been fined for selling a blend of cheap Spanish olive oil and lamp oil under a label claiming the mixture came from a famous olive-growing region in France.

I have always been suspicious of the old horse/cow switch, myself.

Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat

Michael Winner at large in Cap-Ferrat, blowing £1,774.65 in the Grand, polishing off his meal "with a perfectly textured passion fruit soufflé."

I am saving hard.