You made it to France and now you are thinking about what to get for your family or friends upon your return. Do you know that spices can be great gifts?
There are weekly markets whether you are in Paris or in Province ( regions outside the Paris Metropolitan area) where you can get your hands on locally grown herbs that will accompany your dishes back home. Next time you are in France stop at any market or speciality stores /epicerie fine where you can get beautifully packaged spices. In no particular order here is my list of the 10 made in France spices that you should get.
Calament Sauvage
It has a minty flavor. Use it to replace mint in your fruit salads. Or use it for your teas or infusions.
Poivre de Cassis
Fruity and acidic. Use it to season your poultry and red meat.
Romarin de Garrigues
Use it to season your white /red meat as well as your rice and to grill your fish (place it in the middle in the fish).
Lavande Fine
Use a bit of it to season your fish broth/sauce.
Piment du Béarn fumé au bois de laurier
For those that like some extra heat in their meals. Use it to season your meat, veggies and soups.
Estragon
Use it for your tartar and bearnaise sauce, salads as well as your scrambled eggs and omelettes.
Thym orange de la côte d’ Emeraude
With orangy and bergamote flavors. Use it to season your vinaigrette for your crudités.
Coriandre
Use it to season your fish filet, salads and scallops.
Persillade
A mix of herbs, spices such as garlic, parsley. Use it to season sauteed potatoes, mushrooms, veggies and grilled meat.
Laurier
Use it to prepare your fish broth /sauce. One or 2 leaves will be enough.
Yum, I just discovered umami which is a Japanese spice but these look so good!
Author
Umami. I have never heard of it! Thanks. I will look it up!