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Series 1: Episode 14

Marcus has a VIP guest coming for dinner, the mayor of Saint-Remy’s sister, and he really wants to impress. As she is a bit of a history buff, he decides to do some research into the origins of some local produce to find culinary inspiration.\n\nThere’s one simple ingredient he has in mind that’s not only a classic and worldwide staple but cost effective too. It has been eaten for millennia, and it turns out it’s even grown here in the south of France... rice. There’s a unique variety called camargue red rice that only grows in this region. Marcus heads for the rice fields to find out more, and he gets the opportunity to help with the harvest, which means getting to drive a huge combine harvester.\n\nThere’s also another surprising ingredient growing in Provence. Originating in Asia and introduced to Europe by the Romans, this is the first time it’s been grown here since antiquity. We know it as a salty snack, but there’s so much more to it... pistachios. Marcus helps farmer Benoit with his first harvest before settling on a recipe for dinner: a stunning yet simple salad using the red rice and pistachios. But will it impress his VIP guest?

Source: BBC 2