Life in a kitchen is an everyday audition and Myfrenchkitchen is a telltale of my surrender to the failures, the successes, the hitches and pleasures, the philosophical talks  and the always joyous gatherings that life in a kitchen forks out.

It started off a long time ago before the age of blogs and internet and when we still living in South Africa. I have always had a kitchen book filled with drawings and sketches and notes and ideas and scribblings and short stories and half written recipes.   For my own enjoyment, but also for the sake of  our two daughters, Marinell and Liandri. To pass on to them.  They are now young women, living their lives outside of our french kitchen, but when they come to visit, we are all still very active in the delightful and mad chaos that has never left our kitchen in Montlouis sur Loire.

With the arrival of blogs, I got fancy too and started up Myfrenchkitchen, which is in fact where it all happened when they were young and where it still happens.  Marinell and Liandri read here regularly, correct me regularly, advise me regularly, and they sometimes help photographing when they are home, or help cooking or help eating or just simply help messing up the kitchen.

So welcome here in my french kitchen in Provence. Join me in a cup of coffee and let’s accept that which isn’t always a success in the kitchen OR in life. But mostly, let’s share our passion for all that’s good in life…great food, crazy family life, great friendships,  great experiences.

*With all the recipes I post, I hope to inspire everybody who passes through here to experiment themselves and play around with their imagination when it comes to detail. I’m never too specific, because I would like to encourage people to cook with their tastebuds and instinct and imagination, tasting along the way, changing direction, altering the recipe, really discovering your own methods rather than just following a recipe to the letter. That way, you develop an instinct for cooking and you really make a recipe your own, otherwise it will always stay someone else’s.

Enjoy!

67 thoughts on “About myfrenchkitchen”

  3. Ronell – I hope you are enjoying your visit to the states – It is nice to have you here on our side of the pond. I plan to try your flat bread suggestions – they look yummy.

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  4. Ah Ronell – you truly embrace life – good for you – I absolutely drooled over your ‘atelier’ – what a fabulous space you have, I think I need to add on to my house 😉

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  5. What time you have spent on your blog, I can see how passionate you are about food. I agree it is one of the most beautiful blogs I have seen. Your recipes look great, I will look forward to trying some soon.

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  9. Such a gorgeous piece of work – and we all know this doesn’t happen just like that with a simple enter button.
    Good on you for your creativity.

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  10. Beautiful blog … definitely inspirational! We will be joining you for that cup of coffee, daily, as you have become an everyday read for us.

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  11. “Life in a kitchen is an everyday audition and here I telltale of my surrender to the failures, the successes, the hitches and pleasures and always joyous gatherings that life in a kitchen forks out” —

    That’s just how I feel about my garden! (well…and also my kitchen–but I first thought of my garden). I plant lots of heirloom French varieties in raised beds. Does that make it a FrenchGarden? (even in Northern Minnesota?)

    What a gorgeous site. A balm and an inspiration. Thanks!

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  12. Thank you for the kind invitiation. I can think of nothing lovelier than joining you in a cup of coffee and sharing all that is good in life. Your tempting site has been included in my ‘food haunts’ for ages 🙂

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  16. Hi Ronell,

    i’m a french person who just moved to London 3 month ago and recently launched my cooking blog with a mix of recipes in English and in French and I try to make sure to add my french touch to all the recipes I make!
    http://mathildescuisine.wordpress.com/

    I love your blog and I find the pictures beautiful.
    I really have to work on mine now!
    I will definitely mention your blog on mine!

    I used to live in Orleans and my brother now lives in Tour… The world is just too small!

    Mathilde

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  17. Dear Ronelle,

    Hope you are well and looking forward to the weekend. We certainly are, and have come up with a fun little glass related idea for you.

    Resident Friends of Glass Jack and Francisco have spent all morning learning to play the climax of the Hank the Singing Bottle song on water filled glasses, and we wondered if you’d like to have a go too – whether with the Hank song or anything other tune that comes to mind.

    Our video can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVRWqZdiYdU. We’re sure you can do better…If you fancy making one, just make sure to tag it with #friendsofglass – and we’ll feature the best on our blog.

    Here’s to a musical bank holiday…!

    Steph

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  19. simply wonderful!

    i cannot remember how i came here – somewhere en route was certainly lamiacucina.wordpress.com (my favourite food-blogger), but i am fascinated how you spice your recipies with watercolors 🙂

    thanks for sharing!

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  20. Bonjour Ronelle,

    I am a writer for BootsnAll Travel Network–focusing specifically on our France based online travel guides Why Go France (www.francetravelguide.com) and Why Go Paris (www.parislogue.com). I recently stumbled across your lovely site and would love to find some ways for us to work together in some mutually beneficial ways. Email me at julie@bootsnall.com.

    Cheers,

    Julie Blakley
    Travel Writer
    Paris Travel Guide – http://www.parislogue.com
    France Travel Guide – http://www.francetravelguide.com
    BootsnAll Travel Network – http://www.bootsnall.com

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  21. Oh, I just love this blog!
    I just want to travel and eat your delectable food!
    You have given me inspiration.

    Well Done!
    Shel

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  22. Oh, dear Ronelle — No, I do not know you, but the beauty and inspiration of your most heartfelt site requires such tender familiarity, if only simply out of my overflowing appreciation for your exquisite taste, artistry, heart, and joie d’vivre! You are a true gift, a spectacular human being, using all your senses to enjoy Life and others — truly The Most Generous contribution that can be made! Thank you so much for the pleasure and love you share… I am truly touched and inspired by the beauty of you and your Life.
    Nancy E. Wood
    Oklahoma City, USA

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  23. Please forgive my misspelling of your name, Ronell… it was a typo and I missed it… mea culpa.

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  24. Hi Ronelle,have just discovered your site from Down to Earth,i just want to say how beautiful it is,i will be joining you with my coffee from now on,and will be buying my little note-book’s to have with me al the time,how wonderful and insperational you are,i have just subscribed to your site,and look foreward to coming here every morning,love your photo’s,Oh how i would love to visit France,Best Wishes from Carol in Australia.

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  25. Hi Carol

    Thank you so much for your lovely compliment! I hope I won’t disappoint!
    And who knows, one day France might just call hard enough and before you know it you might just get that opportunity to jump on a plane…and when that happens, remember to call me!
    À biéntot
    ronelle

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  26. Dear Ronelle,

    Your journal is inspirational and beautiful. It is a source for delight and warmth, that I visit often. The photographs are lovely, your sketches are lively and very good, and your recipes are tasty. Thank you for sharing such an amazing journey you have created! Merci !

    Liz

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  28. Dear Ronelle,

    Like everybody else who have found & read this blog before me, I’d like to congratulate you on such a lovely creation. Everything about it is beautiful, accessible, down-to-earth—the writing, the images (both watercolor and photos,) just inspires a sense of wholesomeness and comfort. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for sharing your world with us—c’est parfait!

    Sincerely,
    Jennelyn

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  29. Thank you very much Jennelyn…you have given me such big compliments! I appreciate it!

    Ronelle Africantapestry Myfrenchkitchen Coin Perdu

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  30. i just found your blog thru monique… oh my, you 2 are kindred spirits, i was lost here for an hour. beautiful words, thoughts and pictures, what an absolute delight to see someone as special as monique.

    ps, that is the highest praise i can offer anyone~

    jain

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  31. Dag uit die Kaap uit, Ronel,

    (Ek sal liefs voortgaan in Engels) Ronel, I have already forwarded your blogsite address to a number of people. It is an inspiration, and you should be thanked.

    I am new to the world of blogging but you have showed the way, at least to me. You have added something wonderful to this day, and I shall be returning. Naturally, I have subscribed.

    Johan

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  32. Thank you Johan…I appreciate your lovely compliment! Good luck with your blog and be patient, it takes time in blogworld..but enjoy it, that is the most important thing! Ronelle

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  33. Dear Ronelle-

    I just wanted to let you know how happy I am that I have come across your blog. It is beautiful and detailed and gives me many sources of inspiration for my own daily life (and kitchen)! Thank you for sharing!

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  34. Wow, your blog is amazing!!!!
    I’ve discovered it through Nisrine (dinners and dreams), and I’m so happy to have found it! I really love your kitchen, your recipes, your philosophy… I’m so surprised! Let me stay and have a more careful look at the recipes and everything, there’s so much to see and so much to read!

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  35. Thank you Rosanna….for stopping by and saying hi and your lovely comment! I truly appreciate it! I’m so happy to hear you say…”philosophy”…I’vr never thought of it that way, and you’re right, life should show our philosophies more, or rather, we shouldn’t be afraid to show it! Thanks and until soon… Ronelle

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  36. What an absolutely charming, gracious and embracing opera!
    I am immediately drawn in and, as a child on a treasure hunt, am delighted with each new facet that is discovered.
    Thank you.

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  38. I love your blog, it’s so beautiful. It makes me feel as if I have visited you in your dear home. thank you,Diana

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  43. What a lovely blog!
    I am not a great cook, but I love searching and trying out new recipes.
    I was looking at recipe mathildescuisine blog and your blog caught my attention.
    I was surprised to find out you lived in Montlouis – so do I! The world is small!

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  44. Ronelle,
    You bring such beauty to the world-from your cooking, to your stories, to your photographs and your art -your blog has left me breathless and inspires me. Thank you,
    Sandy

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  45. Watter lekker verrassing, soek na n butternut resep, kom toe hier uit – ouma soek butternut/orange soup soos Woolies dit maak. Ek bly in Boston maar oorspronklik van Pretoria. Et en plus j’ai passe quelques annees en France tout pres de Lyon pour mes recherches universitaires, parmi d’autres choses. The world is a small place indeed, Geseende Kersfees en Joyeux Noel, minus die umlauts.

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  46. What an exquisite blog! Thank you so much for your gift to the world. I look forward to visiting many times this coming year…I found reference to your site in The Times (London)

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  47. Bonjour, Ronell

    I have found your site via “eat the seasons” site, and passion fruit in particular! I have a few queries about the following recipe posted on here – are you the creator? I can’t find who “Marabout chef” may be…!
    https://myfrenchkitchen.wordpress.com/2010/02/13/coconut-and-passionfruit-cake-and-little-details/
    1) Is this dried or “dessicated” coconut (the latter often with sweetness added when bought in the supermarket) or fresh? I might need help on how to prepare if fresh!
    2) is the flour “plain” flour?

    Many thanks, and really enjoy your site
    EC

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  48. Hallo Ronell-ai gremlins aan hierdie kant, het jou mail tel en adres info probeer,al my skrywes kom terug.. hoop jy kry hierdie boodskap.stuur sms seblief? dink aan jou met al die GROOT nuwe gebeure daar…in gees en hart by jou!. Colx

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  49. Bonjour – I am so delighted to discover your blog! Having recently relocated to the Averyon from England to manage a tea salon and chambre d’hote I am always looking for recipe inspiration. Especially at the moment and trying to adjust to using seasonal and local produce which isn’t always easy 🙂 Thanks for a beautiful blog x

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  50. Delightful…..Wonderful works of Art….Beautiful soul……….
    are the words that come into my mind when I chanced upon your site. Awesome pics and artworks! And thanks for sharing your fennel salad and related info on fennel. I chanced upon this unusual bulb in the market this morning-it is not common in our tropical country and unheard of in Asian recipes. I bought it as I just love its beautiful form. Not knowing how best to eat it, I found your site and followed your recipe. Tastes amazing! I will be making it soon to share with my friends….thanks again!

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  52. i’m so lucky to have come across your blog. there are so many out there that it’s really special when you find one that speaks to you. thank you for sharing all you do!

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  53. Please tell me what the food item is in the photo “Around Food” on the side bar. It looks delicious!

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  54. @ Mary from Toronto: Thanks for your visit!,

    The photo you see in the sidebar is of tarte fine aux pommes(apple tart). It is very simple, but delicious, with a base of thin pyff pastry and simply apple slices layerd on top, a coating of jam for colour and caramelizing and baking. Voilà! If you are interested in the recipe, you’ll find it here:
    https://myfrenchkitchen.wordpress.com/2009/12/11/tarte-fine-aux-pommes-and-a-peek-into-a-french-home-in-tours/

    Happy cooking!

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  55. I am a new hungry follower :). Happy to have found your site! My godparents used to live in St.Julien de Chendon – not sure if that is near you, but the Loire valley is just beautiful!

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  56. Hi Dtlyme: Welcome! Thanks for visiting and your lovely comment. St Julien de Chédon is a bit far from us where we are now. We lived in the Loire valley, but we sold our house and we’re now in correze, but of course, it is just as beautiful…there isn’t a corner in France which isn’t beautiful!
    Ronelle

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  57. What a delight to find your magical blog! I have spent some happy hours lost in your site. It’s beautifully written and wonderfully photographed and you lived in an area close to my heart – we have been visiting the Loire Vallley, staying just outside Chinon, for many years and love the area. I see from your message above that you have now moved to another area and I look forward very much to learning more about Correze through your writing and photographs

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  58. Thank you for a very lovely compliment Sue!
    Yes, the Loire valley is beautiful and will always hold a special place in my heart..we were very happy there. I can imagine you loving it just as much..with all the good wines, and the chateaux; the lovely gardens, the fresh produce..
    thanks again
    Ronelle

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  61. Thank you very much for the award, it is a lovely compliment ant also, thank your for the follow…I appreciate it. I dropped in at your blog very quickly and will do it more thoroughly next year as I am busy moving house and am up to my ears in cartons! In the meantime, have a very happy season! Warmest

    Ronelle Myfrenchkitchen Coin Perdu Africantapestry Café des artistes

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  65. Stumbled upon this lovely site-when do we see the tour of the NEW home?Pictures of the new kitchen etc posting soon?From a Mass Island-to France..

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  67. Ronelle — WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU???? I moved, and it had been so long, I missed you and went looking for you, only to find that there are several interlopers who are using your name “My French Kitchen,” AND even publishing cookbooks using that name!!! I can’t believe this — you were iconic, you are marvelous, and I can’t believe I can’t find you online any longer, apparently since last December (2022)! Will we ever get to enjoy your wonderful style — your lovely French sensibilities, your yummy French home, your colorful attitude, your darling daughters, the handsome husband, each Spring as the garden re-appears, each Winter as Christmas looms — ??? Ohh, I long for your addictive Frenchness, expressed so perfectly for an American hungry for the richness of European contact… I yearn for your photos and your personal loveliness even more now, knowing the answer seems to be a big, fat, resounding NO!!! You are cherished and definitely I’m feeling nostalgic for all you’ve shared thru the years… Many, many thanks for being so generous, fun, and wonderful… Sincerely, Nancy E. Wood, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

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I appreciate your visit and comment, thank you!