Flavors from the French Mediterranean

A Michelin three-star French chef divulges how to make eighty classic Mediterranean recipes at home.

Overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, chef Gerald Passedat draws inspiration from the abundance of local seafood, sun-ripened vegetables, fragrant herbs, and sumptuous wines. Photographs of his beautifully prepared recipes are complemented by the spectacular land- and seascapes of the south of France–rolling vineyards, olive groves, shady terraces, bustling summer markets, and medieval towns aglow in the warm golden light of afternoon sun.The Mediterranean diet is the world’s healthiest delicious cuisine, and chef Passedat shares eighty of his classic, generous, and easy-to-prepare recipes that celebrate fresh produce and an overall healthy lifestyle. Appetizers include Provencal-style stuffed vegetables, homemade tabbouleh, pizzas and pissaladieres, squid marinades, and delicious fresh salads. Main courses range from gnocchi, herbed meatballs, roasted duck, and spelt risotto to the region’s famous bouillabaisse fish stew. Desserts include fruit and verbena soup, roasted figs, or a bright lemon tart. Chef Passedat earned the famed Michelin guide’s highest honor, a three-star rating, in 2008–one of only twenty-seven chefs in France and 117 in the world to enjoy such a distinction. Here, he divulges his tips and tricks garnered over nearly four decades in the kitchen along with suggested wine pairings for each dish.