Olive Inspiration

I was so inspired by the olive trees at our Provencal villa on my recent ATOP trip to Saint Remy. The pure simplicity of the small trees in a terracotta pots, positioned in the center of the garden tables, was magical.

The truth is, it’s impossible not to feel inspired, by just about everything in Provence, at least that’s how I feel. It’s no secret that Paris is my favorite city. I love everything about Paris, including the anonymity that goes along with any large, bustling city. Saint-Remy-de-Provence is like the anti-Paris.

Its slower pace, congeniality, brilliant light, and warmth, seem to break me wide open. Creativity flows as easily here as the wine. And something as simple as smooth stones in a ginger jar or small olive trees planted in terracotta seems extraordinary.

This is a photo I took in a small village, olive trees perched on shop steps, ready to be taken home to adorn garden tables all over the region.

I was surprised to find olive trees for sale at the local grocery when I returned home. I decided to echo the Provencal inspiration and plant one of my own. I placed it in my backyard on my marble bistro table. Click over to my Instagram page today, to see a video of me planting my sweet little tree!

Not only do we admire the olive trees, we also eat our fair share of these little gems. Olives are purchased by the gram, on market day. Olive Tapenades are a typical Provencal tidbit, placed on the table with bread instead of butter.

I hope you will enjoy my recipe for Green Olive Tapenade, and the next time you are craving a simple, taste-tingling treat, whip it up! Enjoy!

Green Olive Tapenade

1 ½ cups Spanish olives, pitted and rinsed

2 cloves garlic, pressed

1 tablespoon capers

1 teaspoon of each lemon zest and freshly squeezed lemon juice

3 tablespoons or more olive oil

½ teaspoon herbs de Provence

Salt to taste

Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until the mixture is chunky.  Serve with French bread.

Want to travel with A Taste of Paris to Provence in 2024? Now is the time to add your name to the WAITLIST. Details will be coming soon. Trips to Provence are limited to 7 travelers.

What are you doing on Friday, October 6th? I have 1 seat remaining for my wildly popular Artisanal Bread Class. Click to register!

Prepare bread from start to finish and take home 2, loaves, a traditional baguette, and a 500-gram Boule, Enjoy a lunch of The BEST chicken soup ever, my Chicken and Vegetable Pot au Feu, and a Bistro Salad along with, you guessed it, fresh-baked bread.  Our sweet finish will be Chocolate Pot de Crème, and a glass of wine will be served with lunch. You will be set for success with recipes in hand and a 1000-gram bread kit ready to take home to dazzle your loved ones. 

Hope to see you soon!! XO Lorie