Rick Stein's Secret France Season 1 Episode 3 Episode 3

Rick Stein's Secret France season 1 episode 3 takes viewers on a culinary journey through the diverse and flavorful region of Provence.

In this episode, Rick begins by exploring the vibrant markets in the picturesque town of Aix-en-Provence. He marvels at the array of fresh produce and local specialties, such as socca, a savory chickpea pancake cooked in a wood-fired oven. Rick then ventures to the heart of the town to visit the renowned fishmonger, Laurent Soliveres, where he learns about the different varieties of fish that are caught off the coast of Provence.

Next, Rick travels to the stunning Calanques, a series of rocky inlets that stretch from Marseille to Cassis. Here, he meets a local fisherman and joins him on his boat to catch the famous rockfish that are abundant in these waters. Rick then prepares a delicious bouillabaisse, a traditional fish stew that originated in Marseille, using the fresh catch of the day.

Continuing his culinary tour of Provence, Rick journeys to the charming village of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Here, he visits a family-owned olive mill and learns about the process of producing the renowned olive oil of the region. He also discovers the unique taste of black olives confit, a local delicacy that involves cooking black olives in olive oil until they are melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Moving on to another specialty of Provence, Rick travels to the town of Apt, known for its candied fruit. He visits a small family business that has been producing these sweet treats for over 100 years and tries his hand at making his own candied orange peel.

Finally, Rick concludes his culinary tour of Provence with a visit to a traditional Provençal restaurant in the town of Bonnieux. Here, he samples a range of classic dishes, including ratatouille, daube de boeuf (a beef stew), and tarte Tatin (an upside-down apple tart). The episode ends with Rick reflecting on the diverse and delicious flavors of Provence and the joys of discovering new culinary treasures.

Overall, Rick Stein's Secret France season 1 episode 3 offers a tantalizing glimpse into the rich food culture of Provence. Through his visits to local markets, fishmongers, olive mills, and candied fruit producers, Rick showcases the unique and delectable ingredients and dishes that make this region such a culinary gem. Viewers are sure to be inspired to seek out these flavors and try their own hand at creating the tastes of Provence in their own kitchens.