Dissect a Dish: Provençale Vegetables, Courgette & Basil Purée, Smoked Tomato Velouté, Panisse, Smoked Almond & Golden Raisin

Welcome back to Dissect a Dish, where we take a closer look at one of the dishes on Social Pantry’s menu and explore what makes it seasonal, sustainable, delicious – and absolutely worth recreating in your own kitchen.

We break down the elements of a favourite dish, share why we love it, the producers and suppliers that help make it happen, as well as give you simple tips to recreate the magic at home. This time: Provençale Vegetables, Courgette & Basil Purée, Smoked Tomato Velouté, Panisse, Smoked Almond & Golden Raisin.

Our Executive Chef Rich says: “This dish is summer on a plate – bright, smoky and full of texture. It celebrates simple vegetables at their best, elevated with bold flavour and a few carefully balanced contrasts.”

Inspired by the flavours of the South of France, the Provençale vegetables bring warmth, sweetness and colour to the dish. Slow-cooked and lightly caramelised, they celebrate the beauty of peak-season produce while adding richness and depth.

Fresh courgette and fragrant basil create a verdant, silky purée that brings lightness to the plate. The basil cuts through the richer elements while the courgette keeps things delicate, clean and unmistakably summery.

This is where the dish gets its depth. Smoking the tomatoes enhances their natural sweetness while adding a subtle earthiness that transforms the velouté into something deeply savoury and comforting. Smooth, rich and full of umami, it ties the whole dish together.

A classic dish from the south of France, panisse is made from chickpea flour cooked into a thick paste, set, then sliced and fried until golden and crisp. Think of it as the Provençal answer to chips or polenta fries – crunchy on the outside, soft and creamy in the middle. Its subtle nutty flavour makes it the perfect companion to smoky vegetables and rich sauces, adding both texture and comfort to the dish.

Smoked almonds and golden raisins
The finishing touch. Smoked almonds bring crunch and richness, while golden raisins add bursts of sweetness. Small details that make a big difference.

This dish is all about celebrating vegetables and layering flavour. Roast whatever seasonal vegetables you can get your hands on until caramelised and tender, then pair with a simple basil sauce or courgette purée.

For the smoked tomato element, roasting tomatoes on a barbecue or adding a pinch of smoked paprika can help recreate that depth at home. Finish with crunchy nuts and something sweet – raisins, pickled shallots or even a drizzle of honey work beautifully.

For the tomatoes in this dish, we work with Nutbourne Nursery in Sussex, renowned for growing exceptional heritage tomatoes packed with flavour. Using traditional growing methods and focusing on seasonality and quality over quantity, their produce brings natural sweetness, acidity and depth to every dish. Their commitment to sustainable growing and incredible produce makes them the perfect partner for Social Pantry.