The Food Connection | A Conversation with Tessa Kiros

Provence to Pondicherry by Tessa Kiros

We at Home of Juniper love food. Food is very important. Food holds memories; memories of a grandmothers cooking, recollections of travels abroad, reminders of meals with friends and family… This is something food writer and chef Tessa Kiros understands. Her recipe books are intertwined with history of the food, the links to herself, her past and the world around her.

In her latest recipe book, Provence to Pondicherry, Tessa takes the reader on a journey from Provence to Guadeloupe, Vietnam, Pondicherry, La Reunion and then to Normandy. Throughout this book, as well as wonderful recipes, Tessa tells the reader about the countries the food is from, and the influence of French food in all these beautiful countries. We were lucky enough to catch up with the ever talented Tessa Kiros to ask her about food, travel and inspirations.

After the release of her latest book, which she has been busy publicising, Tessa has been nominated for the Edward Stanford’s Travel Writing Awards. Though she has had a busy couple of months, the lovely Tessa managed to answer our questions on food, cooking, family and travel…a few of our favourite things:

Provence to Pondicherry. With our lovely sycamore cake slice made by Rosie in Devon.

What is your first memory of food?

My first memory of food, I think, is the egg & bread my mom used to make us. Soft egg mashed up with torn bits of bread & a tiny bit of salt all softened together in a cup. I can smell the warmth of this when I just think about it. My children love it also. Such simplicity. I also remember the sweets my grandmother gave us. Strawberry.

What is your first memory of cooking?

 We were young & would spend hours outside. My sister & I. I will never forget the toast we made, by the fire the boy next door lit with the matches he found. Fearless. We held our bread up on metal sticks, then ate it warm with butter. I don’t think we minded the toast being burnt it was great!
And I always enjoyed helping out in the kitchen. I remember mixing spices together in a bowl & serving them with lemon. I loved making cakes with my mom.

Who or what inspired you to start writing?

My first book Twelve – was a collection of the recipes from my time in Tuscany. I didn’t know then that I would be living here for many years still. I wanted to keep the recipes & experiences for myself & so it became a book. It really just went that way & seemed like a natural process.

What is your favourite recipe from your latest book?

 I love many of the recipes. A few that come to mind are – Bahn mi with barbecued lemongrass pork. Duck with vanilla. Iced coconut coffee. Che. Sacristains. Chicken escalopes with camembert. Salted Caramels.

What was your most memorable moment in your travels when researching Provence to Pondicherry?

Visiting these beautiful places & having to gather the treasures from them is an amazing thing. Truly wonderful for me are those spontaneous moments of connection, of being able to watch & learn from the people of the place.

Do you have any future travel plans?

For now I am enjoying the after of the book & letting inspiration flow back naturally. I always collect & jot down things I love or that make an impression on me. I would love to visit Japan & Argentina.

Talking with Tessa has made us think about our food memories and the stories behind them. Whether it is a comforting memories of eating roast dinners made by someone you love or biting into chicken feet for the first time (and last, if we are honest).

If you haven’t already got Tessa’s wonderful books, have a look, we can’t seem to choose a favourite. We are looking forward to the next beautiful book by Tessa Kiros, but for now we are going to turn to page 184, make Pondicherry Fish Curry and enjoy it while discussing our future travel plans… India anyone?

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