French cuisine is famous around the world. If you have never had the opportunity to taste one of the most popular French dishes, it is likely that you know someone who has.
Luckily, you do not have to travel to France to try it! Modern transportation technology makes it possible for you to add a bit of French flavor to your kitchen and pantry regardless of your current country of residence.
French cheese, baguettes, and distinctive wines are just a few of the options that you can choose from. Other things to take into consideration include oysters, charcuterie, cornichons, mustard, steak, snails, and various pastries. Sounds interesting? If so, check out this list of foods of France that everyone should add to their grocery list!
Cheese
Cheese is one of the most readily identifiable staple foods in France. It is a great addition to a wide selection of dishes, ranging from pasta dishes to salads. The most popular French cheeses are Camembert and Brie.
If you want to learn more about cheese, check out A Field Guide to Cheese. It is a book dedicated to different kinds of cheese and contains descriptions of how each type of cheese is made.
Wine
If you are a wine enthusiast, you should purchase a few French wines. No matter how picky you are, you are guaranteed to find a French wine that will suit your preferences! The most popular French wines include Merlot, Domaine de la Romanee Conti, Fleur Petrus, and Taittinger.
It would be great if you purchased your wines from an established wine merchant. That way, you can be certain that the wine that you are getting is authentic. If you do not know what wine merchant you should be buying from, join Acker Wines wine club!
Charcuterie
Charcuterie is a French branch of cooking that is devoted to prepared meat products, such as sausages and ham. Such meat products are most often served as appetizers, as well as eaten on the go.
What makes charcuterie special is that it is based on curing rather than cooking, which allows for more flavors to be extracted from the meat without compromising on the quality of the final product.
Oysters
Like snails, oysters tend to be eaten by people who have strong palates. However, it is going to be a great choice for someone who has never tried shellfish, as oysters are easier to digest than other shellfish, such as clams and crabs.
Oysters can be enjoyed raw, roasted, and grilled. In addition to that, they are full of healthy nutrients and minerals, which makes for a great addition to anyone’s diet.
Cornichons
Cornichons might be small and dainty, but they are packed with flavor and make for a perfect appetizer or a side dish to any meal. If you find yourself stuck with leftovers, they can be used as garnishes on salad or sandwiches and eaten on their own.
Cornichons taste particularly great when paired with roast beef and other roast-type dishes. If you like eating pickles, you will definitely enjoy cornichons!
Mustard
Mustard is a popular condiment in France. It tends to be served with pâté, poultry, and charcuterie. However, it can also be used as an ingredient in sauces and dressings.
There are many kinds of mustard out there, but all of them share three things in common: they are spicy, tangy, and worth checking out!
Steak
Steak is considered to be one of the more expensive French foods available today. It tastes great when cooked using a cast iron pan over high heat. The best cuts of steak include sirloin, ribeye, and tenderloin.
Steak can be made from various types of meats, including beef, veal, fish, lamb, pork, and more. It is usually prepared in a way that makes it tender and juicy. You can enjoy it in numerous ways, including grilling it and frying it in the pan.
Snails
Unlike in other countries where they are rarely eaten, in France, snails are a common dish found in a wide variety of restaurants and households. For example, in restaurants, snails are usually served in a garlic and parsley sauce with a side of fries. In addition to that, snails can be canned for future use, are high in protein and low in fat.
In Conclusion
That concludes our list of French foods that you should try! The above-mentioned foods are only a fraction of what you can choose from. If you are curious about what else you can add to your grocery list, all you have to do is spend some time learning about the various types of food available in France!
French cuisine is almost always light and enjoyable. It tends to be simple and healthy, too. If you like the food, you should consider picking up some of the things that make it great, such as ballotin, brie, and cornichons, on your upcoming grocery trip.