Providore opens in the Swan Valley
This is one of those places that makes it to my ‘Must Visit’ list of Swan Valley pit stops…
Olive oils, spice rubs, jams, sauces and meal-packs to create at home – Providore is your one-stop-gourmet-shop in the Swan Valley. But that’s not all folks; they also have the Coward & Black wine range (made from grapes from both the Margaret River and the Swan Valley), alongside chocolate liqueurs. Are your taste buds tingling yet?
Providore was established in 2005 in the Margaret River and I’m thanking the foodie gods above for bringing this to Perth’s doorstep in the Swan Valley. The rather fancy shipping container like cellar door has a funky modern twist to it which catches the eye yet fits right in amongst the vines. It is located right beside its sister-business, The Margaret River Chocolate Company – so naturally it would be rude not to go into both. From jam and sauce tasting to wine tasting to chocolate liqueur tasting and then to chocolate tasting next door – utter heaven!
This is one of those places that makes it to my ‘Must Visit’ list of Swan Valley pit stops. I am also going to be a regular patron for my dinner party supplies. I am to be honest a very average cook, and even though I love cooking for others I do get flustered in the kitchen, especially with tricky recipes and when things start going wrong. However Providore has now made me into, well.. an awesome cook!!
So how have they taken me from the burnt-baker to the next Masterchef? Well.. let me let you in on the secret. They have a product range of both sweet and savoury ideas that come in a box/bag with all the main ingredients and a simple easy-to-follow recipe to go along with it. Think those packets of risotto or boxes off muffin mix that you can buy from the supermarket but twenty-times better! I’m talking; Tuscan Risotto Mix, Paella Spice Mix with Saffron Stems, BBQ Beef Marinade, Seafood Poaching Spices, Vanilla, Cranberry & White Chocolate Muffin Pack…. and so many more. Jeeze I have worked up a hunger just typing those out!
I decided to treat myself to a packet of the French Porcini Mushroom Risotto to go with my bottle of Coward and Black 2013 Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc (read my tasting note here) that evening. So simple and easy to make, just add butter, and stock and voila I had a gourmet, dinner-party ready meal in 15-20 minutes. Of course you could pass the recipe off as your own to your guests if you really want to be sneaky.
I finished my visit off with a delectable chocolate truffle from The Margaret River Chocolate Factory – the Champagne Truffle. Okay so these tiny little chocolates are $2 a pop but ohhhh… this is orgasmic… seriously. Premium Champagne Ganache in Rich Dark Chocolate – I am dribbling typing that. The best $2 I have ever spent.
If you visit, let me know what you think and please if you try any of the food options you can recreate at home, let me know what to try next, so naturally I can pass it off as my own creation to the next dinner guests! Providore is open 9-5pm 7 days a week and tasting is free. Do it Perth!
Check out their website for more info: www.providore.com.au
