The TASTE of
June
I think there are no words to express how quickly May has passed by and June has arrived. In the blink of an eye, and the biggest proof of that is the market stalls now laden with cherries, apricots, peaches and melons.
There is no clearer sign of June in our lives than that, apart from the heat of the sun kissing our uncovered shoulders, freckles appearing on faces after being hidden away for a good six months or more, and people on terraces fighting to find a seat because every table is taken at lightning speed. Most of the time, they gather for an apéro that, more often than not, turns into dinner and late-night drinks until they are politely asked to leave.
June is magical. It is the time when the true feeling of summer begins. The holidays, the looser evening schedules, weekend trips to the mountains or to country houses for grilling and long lunches, wine changing colour in our glasses from red to rosé or white, and meals becoming lighter (if one can call grilled meat light).
It is the month when the feeling of freedom and lightness kicks in stronger than ever before. And it is also the month of the summer solstice, with the Fête de la Musique in France and countless other traditions around the world. Students can hardly wait for their final lessons, lectures or exams to be over so that they can finally take that deep breath which lasts until September. Most of the time, together with their families or loved ones, and that is the true taste of summer. And it starts in June.
RECIPE
Madame Maigret’s White Wine Coq au Vin
A few years ago, at the General Assembly of Gastronomy in Dijon, a solemn—though not especially serious—gathering of chefs undertook to codify the recipe for coq au vin. As if there were only one coq au vin! As if, like Aesop’s tongue, it could be both the best and often the worst of dishes! The origins of coq au vin are distant and uncertain. Auvergne claims it with its Chanturgue wine. Burgundy prides itself on it and incorporates it into its traditional local cuisine. The very fact that it belongs to wine-based cooking, as we have often repeated, gives every wine-growing region a claim to it…
Recipe
Travel
Paris addresses. June edition I
After sipping a cappuccino at Nuance Café on Rue Danielle Casanova, and planning to enjoy my bagel from Cody's at Cody's, I instead took it with me to eat in the Jardin du Palais Royal while working on (or rather reducing) my daily plans for my summer Paris tours. With pigeons fighting over the crumbs of my bagel, I left for a soft-serve ice cream at La Combine (tonka, almond and rosemary) and ate it while listening to 90s pop music and the chatter of happy children at the neighbouring table.
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RECIPES
From simple appetisers and dinner dishes to easy-to-make cookies, tarts and more laborious cakes. But, mostly, all French and seasonal. Visit
HOME
From essentials like the softest and best-made duvets and cleaning materials to scents, candles, interior design accessories and all that makes your home the best place to live in. Visit
Drinks
One can pretend that a meal without wine is the best. But one can also be honest and say that it lacks that excitement of discovery. Some may say that coffee is the worst thing ever, exchanging it for tea or a chai latte, while others say that one cup of coffee is such a pleasure that it even times stops. And there is no right or wrong, as long as the product you use is made with respect, love and, preferably, a sustainable approach. Visit
BEAUTY
No matter the beauty rituals we have, we do have some. Some get by with a simple wash with soap. Some need four different products. Some crave an SPA visit every day, and some do not wish for anything annoying to their perfect, natural skin. I like to have a bit of everything, yet, as long as it is natural, clean and makes my mind and body happy. Visit
My latest recipes
Featured
EVENT
Cooking weekends. Burgundy and Latvia
April, May, September 2025
