Our guest raved, ravished and begged over the recipe for our Signature Housemade Granola!  With a little persuasion from our favorite duo, Winey & Cheesy, we are giving up the secret formula. No worries, if you’re not the gifted gourmet; we serve our Granola fresh every morning and have it available for sale in 12oz bags!

From the kitchen at L’Auberge Provencale to yours at home, we hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 cup Vegetable Oil
1 cup Honey (or Maple Syrup)
1 cup Wheat Germ
2 tb. Vanilla Extract
1 tsp. Salt
7 cups Oats
3 cups Coarsely Chopped Nuts
2 cups Raisins, Cranberries & Currents

Directions:
-Combine Oil, Honey, Wheat Germ, Salt and Vanilla Extract in large bowl. Mix well.
-Add oats and nuts. Mix until combined.
-Bake at 375° until golden brown. Stir often.
-Stir in Raisins, Cranberries & Currents
-Allow to cool and serve!

THE  THIRTEEN  TRADITIONAL

 DESSERTS OF  PROVENCE 

        In an old custom that has its origins in the farming region of France and dates back a couple of centuries, families served a different dessert on each of the twelve nights of Christmas.  The 13 desserts harken back to market days when farmers would buy and sell produce that always included a bakers dozen instead of twelve. 

            During the holidays, this tradition is part of the custom of L’Auberge Provençale.  We offer these desserts in our sitting room to all of our guests, whether in the afternoon, or after a sumptuous holiday feast. 

            The desserts included fresh and dried fruits, nuts, cakes, and confections.  In Provence, most of the ingredients were locally grown and plentiful. 

            Raisins, dry figs, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pears, apples, plums, Orliettes (lemon and orange with orange blossom water fried pastry), Fougasse (poppy seed and lemon Brioche), Nougat Blanc et Noir, Calissons D’Aix (Almond Paste with Pistachios) and 12^th night Cake make up all 12 of them. 

            All should be served with Buche de Noel. Although the rich and extravagant Buche de Noël was not probably added to the custom, until late in the 19^th century. 

          Winey and Cheesy are pretty excited about getting these desserts going.  However, the first step. is making the Vin D’Orange that will go with these desserts.    As it takes about a month to prepare, they figure they better get started.  Cheesy loves to share this job with all his wine lovers, and we love to share the following recipe with you.  Give it a try, and bring a splash of Provence to your holiday season.  We will be leaking a few other holiday recipes to our fans as well!  The Shenandoah Valley will become the inn place to be for the holidays. 

All should be served with Buche de Noel, in small bowls and platters around the centerpiece yule log.

VIN D’ORANGE 

        1 Bitter or Seville Orange

        1/2 Sweet Orange

        1 quart of Rose or White Wine

        5 TBSP Armagnac

        1/2 Lb. Sugar

        5 TBSP Sparkling Water

 

  Use only the skins of the Oranges.  Mix all ingredients together, place in a glass jar, cover and let stand in a cool dark place for 1 month.  When ready, filter, chill and serve with the Thirteen Desserts of Provence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Our philosophy is that good food and good wine should be shared with the ones you love, so invite your friends over, open a bottle of wine, and don’t forget to laugh!

 

 

Melon Soup

 

1 cantaloupe – 3 ½” – 4 ½” in diameter

1 mango

1 pt. strawberries

2 oz. grand marnier

2 c. crème fraiche

1 tsp. mint – chopped

10 mint sprigs

 

Peel and hull fruit and cut into 1” cubes

 

In blender on low speed slowly add fruit and puree

 

Pour into a stainless steel bowl

 

Add grand marnier and chopped mint

 

Stir well

 

Refrigerate until very cold

 

Serve in chilled bowls topped with crème fraiche and a sprig of mint

 

 

 Spinach Salad

                                                           

1 bag or 2 bunches fresh spinach – washed and dried

2 endives

confit of salmon

4 tomatoes – cut into 8^th

¾ c. raspberry vinaigrette

pepper to taste

edible flowers – optional

 

Toss spinach with raspberry vinaigrette reserving a small amount to drizzle later

Arrange 4 endive leaved in salad bowl with tips sticking up around bowl

Place spinach in middle of endive leaves

Arrange tomato wedges between endive leaves around spinach

House cured salmon

Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper

Garnish with edible flowers

 

 

Raspberry Vinaigrette

                                                           

1 TBSP. mustard

1 tsp. garlic – chopped

1 tsp. shallots – chopped

½ c. raspberry vinegar

2 ½ c. extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp. parsley – chopped

salt to taste

pepper to taste

 

Whip mustard, garlic, shallots and vinegar together until well blended

Slowly drizzle in olive oil while continuing to whip mixture

Add chopped parsley, salt and pepper