Shopping Guide for French Ingredients

Essential Pantry Items

Oils & Vinegars: - Extra virgin olive oil (French preferred) - Neutral oil (sunflower/grapeseed) - Walnut oil - Red wine vinegar - White wine vinegar - Sherry vinegar

Mustards: - Dijon (smooth and grainy) - Whole grain à l'ancienne - Flavored varieties (tarragon, green peppercorn)

Herbs & Spices: - Herbes de Provence - Fleur de sel - Black peppercorns - Quatre-épices - Saffron - Vanilla beans

Preserved Goods: - Cornichons - Capers - Anchovies - Tomato paste - Lentilles du Puy - Flageolet beans

Cheese Selection

Basics for French Cooking: - Gruyère or Comté (grating/melting) - Chèvre (fresh goat cheese) - Roquefort (blue cheese) - Camembert or Brie (soft-ripened) - Fromage blanc or faisselle

Where to Shop

Specialty Stores: - French delicatessens - Cheese shops - Wine merchants - Farmers' markets

Online Sources: - igourmet.com (cheese, charcuterie) - dartagnan.com (meats, foie gras) - frenchselections.com (general) - amazon.com (pantry staples)

Substitutions: - Crème fraîche: heavy cream + buttermilk - Fromage blanc: Greek yogurt - Lardons: thick-cut bacon - Shallots: mild onion + garlic