robjame

I hope this doesn't awaken defensive feelings in anyone, but we think that the herbs that we buy at the markets in France are far superior to what we can get at home.
Gretchen - we have searched for those pre-rolled and tied bouquet garni and have not found them yet in US or Canada.
How about herbs de Provence - buy one of those grinders with the cigales on them filled with this indispensible melange - all for about €10.
Truffles or truffle oil?
Not strictly food, but in the Dordogne area (also elsewhere I'm sure) they sell a pottery plate with raised ridges on it that are used for mincing, macerating garlic, herbs or preparing coulis, etc.

Mathieu

I have one of those little plates Robjame (a gift from Corsica, no less) and they are very useful.

At my local Saturday Farmers Market here in Ontario, theres a French lady who makes and sells a variety of bouquet garnis, bundled and string-tied, and they are really good. Best I've found. Different ones for different food dishes, and then some tea and herb combinations tied in cheesecloth ready for infusion/diffusion.

Lawchick

The thing is you don't need many "fancy" ingredients for traditional french cooking....you just need good ingredients.

I would bring back
Chocolate (with v high - over 90% cocoa)
Fumet de Poisson
Fond de gibier

stuff like that.

jody

robjane..you can order bouquet garni from O&CO..there may even be a store near you...bt they do cost quite a bit more than in France!

http://tinyurl.com/2jyox4

stanleys

We always bring home a few bottles of Amora salad dressings. The creamy vinaigrette and the mustard vinaigrette.

robjame

jody - those are the ones! Thank you for the link. We will order them when we head back to Florida.
Mathieu - which farmers' market do you go to in Ontarion- maybe I am close to it. Thanks.

Gretchen

Saffron is cheaper in France because it comes from Spain. I have since found a great online source for saffron and vanilla beans, however.
Herbes de Provence and bouquet garnie--I make my own. Our bulk stores here have such fresh herbs I buy in small quantities for freshness. I do love the spice shops though.

ekscrunchy

Yes I agree about the Amora mustard, as I wrote in my first post on this thread. It is really inexpensive, too. I just came home with two glass jars and two of the plastic bottles of it. I have sworn off truffle oil though, after learning that almost none of it has actually seen a truffle..the flavor is derived from chemicals. Nice aroma, though.

jody

robjame....if when you head back to FL you are anywhere near Winter Park, you can buy them at Olive This & Olive That, ( don't you just love that name!), on Park Ave. They carry a lot of O&CO products.

robjame

Thanks jody - we go to Winter Park several times a winter to visit one of the French restaurants and spend some time in the wine tasting place. We love Winter Park - now another reason to go there.

jody

robjame..I live in Maitland, so give me a call and we can have a mini GTG!

robjame

Sounds great!