Cooking by the Coast - A Shopping List

One of the things I wanted to include in my recipe book was a shopping list, but the cost per page, meant it was something I saved for here in the blog.

When you arrive in France, for a self catering holiday, tired from a long journey, and perhaps staying in a new place, with shops that you are not used to, it's still essential to stock up.

You have several options, one is to visit the local market, which is great fun, but perhaps best saved for a day when you're less busy.

Secondly you can visit the little shops in town, and practice your French, I love doing this, and there is always someone who can suggest a new and interesting way to cook something.

Or you could visit a supermarket.  We do a combination of all three on holiday, I have to admit that the supermarket is usually my first port of call, for that initial large, stocking up shop.

This list is by no means definitive, but is a start, and I hope is useful for you.

A Shopping List

These are some of the more specialist ingredients which feature on my first shopping list of the holidays in Brittany.  (Most are available in the UK too)

Eggs (Free Range, Organic ) Les oeufs de poules elevees en plein air, biologique

Yoghurt (Glass Jars – Goat, Malo) Le Yaourt, (bocaux en verre,  Chevre, Malo)

Buttermilk Lait Ribot  (also Babeurre)

Chicken (Free Range, Organic) Poulet eleve en plein air, biologique

Lardons

Seafood Le Fruits de Mer

Fish Soup Soupe de Poisson

Rillettes (jars of fish pate)

Croutons

Rouille

Tinned: Duck, Sardines Tuna, En Conserve,  Canards,  Sardine, Thon

Jars: Artichoke Hearts, Olives Pots: Coeurs d’artichauts, las olives

Jams, Honey, Chocolate/Nut Spread  Confiture, miel, Chocolat et Noix

Plain Flour La Farine

Bread Flour Farine de Pain

Buckwheat Flour Farine de Sarrasin

Baking Powder, Bicarbonate of Soda, Levure,  Bicarbonate de Soude

There is a huge selection of Breton Biscuits, Caramels (both sweets and liquid spreads), Cider, Water, even a Breton Cola!

In Brittany you will find a range of locally produced seasonal vegetables and fruit (see the book for more details about vegetables).  The breton strawberries are amazing, as are the other seasonal fruit available.

I have not included all the usual things such as washing up liquid, soap powder, kitchen and toilet paper, matches, tin foil, coffee, tea, milk, butter, cheese, ham etc etc

Add caption

Many products in Brittany carry the 'PRODUCT EN BRETAGNE' (made in Brittany) symbol, featuring the white light house, with the sea behind, all within in a bright, yellow circle.