With globalization and the internet, there is less stuff to bring back from Paris that you truly can’t find back home, especially if you have a Trader Joes in the neighborhood. Here are a few things though that you might pick up at any little market in France that aren’t as easily or cheaply found back home.
This list courtesy of Food & Wine:
- VANILLA SUGAR – Packets of this French housewife’s staple can be found in the baking section of the supermarket. It’s great sprinkled on French toast, over fruit tarts, or in cafe au lait.
- PEPPERCORNS – French supermarkets sell white and mixed (pink, green, white and black) peppercorns in disposable mills.
- LENTILLES DUPUY – I love these tiny green lentils from the remote Auvergne because they keep their shape when cooked. They are especially good simmered in wine with garlic sausage.
- FLAGEOLETS – These pale green dried beans shaped like a fingernail go with roast lamb like jelly goes with peanut butter.
- DIJON MUSTARD – The mustard made for the U.S. market lacks the nose-assaulting bite of the stuff sold in France.
- MAYONNAISE – French mayonnaise often comes in tubes; it’s not sweet like the American version and tastes more like homemade.
- BOUQUETS GARNIS – The herbs essential for pot au-feu and boeuf bourguignon (parsley, bay leaf and thyme) come dried in sachets thatlook like tea bags, so they’re easy to remove.
- HERBES DE PROVENCE – This blend of dried thyme, rosemary, summer savory and bay leaves is used in Provenqal stews and grilled foods. It’s no longer as hard to find in the U.S.
- HERB AND TEAS Some of my favorites are verveine (verbena), tilleul (linden blossom) and fraise-cassis (strawberry and black currant).
- SPECIAL SAVORY AND SWEET ITEMS you can only find in France like candied chestnuts or pistachio butter (Brémond Fils).
Bon appetit!
