Gourmet Cooking Supplies

Almond Meal

Almond meal, or almond flour, is added into all sorts of French desserts and even some savory recipes. Try combining it with fruit for a super taste combination.

Bouquet Garni

Many French soup, stew and sauce recipes call for these little bundles of herbs. Learn how to make your own.

Candied Violets

These are a speciality from the area around Toulouse. As with many traditional French foods, there is a charming amount of history to learn about this confection.

Champagne Vinegar

This gourmet vinegar is made from the small amount of wine that is expelled during the processing of Champagne wine. It is perfect for adding a little punch to so many recipes.

Chestnut Flour

A traditional product of Corsica, chestnut flour is used to make caked and crepess and is especially interesting for people on gluten free diets.

Chestnut Puree

Crème de marron from the Ardeche region is a popular spread for toast or crepes, but it is also used as an ingredient in recipes. One of my favorite gourmet cooking supplies.

Crème Fraîche (Recipe included)

This rich, firm, and slightly tangy dairy product is used in many French recipes. If you can't find it in your supermarket, you can make it at home.

Duck Confit

To make confit de canard, duck is cured in salt and then cooked and preserved in its own fat. Discover some traditional ways of serving confit in France.

French Sea Salt

France produces several specialty sea salts that are defintely worth their somewhat high price. Fleur de Sel and Sel Gris are excellent ingredients for all of your recipes.

Foie Gras

Talk about famous French food -- I know you've heard of foie gras. This infamous French delicacy is often served with champagne at Chrstmas and New Year's celebrations.

French Dragées

These smooth, candy coated almonds are popular party favors at all sorts of French celebrations.

French Green Lentils

Lentilles de Puy are celebrated the world over for their rugged mineral taste. Find out how and where they are grown and best of all, how to enjoy them for your next French meal.

Herbs de Provence

No pantry of gourmet cooking supplies would be complete without this mixture of dried herbs originated in the south of France near the Mediterrenean Sea. Find out what's in it and when to use it.

Mesclun Mix

A mix of baby greens that makes a perfect start to many French salads. Find a list of the salad leaves that might be included.

Nutella

Although Italian in origin, you'd think Nutella was a famous French food. This chocolate hazelnut goo is spread on crepes, breads, and so much more.

Orange Flower Water

This is an unusual ingredient that you will most often find in recipes from the south of France. Its perfumey taste marries surprisingly well with a variety of foods.

Roasted Chestnuts

Roasted chestnuts make faboulous ingredients in any number of French dishes. Many home cooks keep a jar of roasted chestnuts on the pantry shelf, ready to snack on or use in a recipe.

Tarragon Vinegar

The lovely fresh taste of tarragon infuses this vinegar making it a great ingredient for French cooking. Try it in bearnaise suace, mayonnaise, or use it to cook chicken or on top of soups.

Walnut Oil

A gourmet accent oil that is a speciality of the regions of Dordogne and the area near Grenoble. Use it to nutty flavor to your pasta, salads, vegetables, and cakes.