Food and Wine

The Food of France, by Waverly Root, 1992

First published in 1958, this book is now considered a classic on the cuisine of France. In the first chapter, called "Butter, Lard, and Oil," Root divides France into three regions according to which type of fat is used for cooking. "The grease," he says, "in which the food of a country is cooked is the ultimatae shaper of its whole cuisine. The olive is thus the creator of the cooking of Provence." (He names garlic and the tomato as the next two most important Provencal ingredients.) The book is organized geographically, so you can skip straight to the chapter on Provence if you want to. Buy now at Amazon.com.

Lulu’s Provencal Table, by Richard Olney, 1994. Out of print.

Subtitled "The exuberant food and wine from the Domaine Tempier vineyard," this is a cookbook but it is also the story of a family. Author Richard Olney has lived next door to the Peyraud family at Domaine Tempier since 1952 and begins his book with an admiring account of Lulu and Lucien Peyraud, their large family, and their efforts over the years to produce outstanding wines. Then he gives us recipes based on the simple but masterful meals that Lulu served over the years to family and crowds of friends. The book makes good reading and good meals.

Patricia Wells at Home in Provence, by Patricia Wells, 1996

Patricia Wells has lived in France since 1980, where she is a restaurant critic for the International Herald Tribune and writer of cookbooks. She now divides her time betwen Paris and her house in Vaison-la-Romaine, in northern Provence. This is a large format book full of photographs, mostly of food but also some views of her restored farmhouse and some of local folks from the Vaison-la-Romaine outdoor market. In addition to the 175 recipes (well adapted for American kitchens), Wells gives you a lot of lore about Provencal cuisine and about her farm and her region of Provence. Buy now at Amazon.com.

Paris & Provence (Gault Millau Series), by Andre Gayot,1999

The classic Gault Millau restaurant and hotel guide, this annual listing rates restaurants and hotels that its editors consider worthy. The restaurants and hotels are given brief reviews along with practical information about hours and prices. Sections called "And also..." list places for inexpensive, quick meals. Buy now at Amazon.com.

Adventures on the Wine Route, by Kermit Lynch,1988

Kermit Lynch spends half the year at his house in Provence and half in California, where he runs a wine shop in Berkeley. He made his first wine buying trip to France in 1973 and has regularly followed the wine route ever since in search of great wines for his store. You can go directly to the section in the book on Provence, or enjoy the Lynch's descriptions of the various wine regions in France, the vintners he works with, and the wines they produce. His writing is lively, funny, and personal and his book is full of good information. Wine lovers will be thrilled. Buy now at Amazon.com.