Provencial Cooking

Philippe (who helps coordinate assistants out of the goodness of his heart) and his companion Nadine (who teaches math at the high school where I work) invited Caroline, Sarah, Michelle, and me over to their house to cook a real Provincial dish : la Daube.

Start with several chunks of beef. From the shin, shoulder, and collar areas of the cow.

Oh la vache!

Nadine's grandmother was from Provence, and actually lived in Hyeres in the house that Nadine and Philippe now live in. Nadine was the master chef / instructor / daube expert.

We threw all the ingredients in a big electric wok to slow cook for the day (5 hours at least).

Beef chunks, carrots, onions, chunks of smoked bacon with the strip of rind cut off (but the rind sits in for flavor and is removed later)

Then added a small jar of double-concentrated tomato paste. Nadine said not every recipe includes tomato (or black olives), and that there are many recipes for the one dish; it just sort of depends on the family. She learned from her grandmother (from her dad's side), and said that her Daube tastes very different from her own mother's version, because Nadine's mom had learned from her grandmother (Nadine's great grandmother)

Added thyme (stems included for flavor), plus bay leaves grown on Nadine's mother's property, plus garlic and black olives (pits included). Of course, the herbs are removed before serving.

Nadine explaining. Sarah listening. Just after we filled the wok with red wine.

Michelle mixes the polenta. Nadine poured it into a loaf-pan to set, then sliced and baked (or you can fry) the slices. The Daube is served on top of the polenta slices.

Caroline and Sarah at the table.

Mmm melted chocolate for our homemade chocolate mousse for dessert! Served with an awesome fresh orange "salad" (orange rounds with Fleur d'Oranger flavoring, rum, and cinammon).

We arrived at 10:30 Sunday morning for all the prep work/learning, then returned in the evening to enjoy the meal together! Not only was it fun learning a new regional dish and cooking together, but it was soooo delicious!