Defined as the undisputed queen of Mediterranean cuisine, mozzarella is characterised by a smooth texture and a delicate flavour, and takes its name from the operation of “docking” made by the cheesemaker to give shape to the different cheese. Enough of the technicalities, mozzarella is typically a southern Italian cheese made from buffalo’s milk by the pasta filata method. Fresh mozzarella is generally white but when seasoned it turns to a light yellow depending on the animal’s diet. Due to its high moisture content, it is traditionally served the day after it is made, but can be kept in a brine for up to a week (or even longer when sold in sealed packages).

At The French Grocer, we carry a huge selection of French cheese (of course!) but our spotlight today falls on the absolutely delectable Mozzarella Pugliese from Italy! Fairly common in supermarkets and gourmet cheese shops, we enjoy mozzarella as a creamy addition to our dishes and we’re only limited by our imagination on how to incorporate it! Here are some ways to enjoy mozzarella in all its natural goodness:

Lasagna: get the real taste of Italy with this comfort food that goes perfectly with mozzarella. The layered mix of pasta, meat and cheese will surely delight everyone at the dining table!

Baked garlic bread: Smell the goodness as this cheese melts in the oven together with all that garlicky fragrance! Try it to see the difference mozzarella makes!

Baked tomatoes: Stack up sliced tomatoes on mozzarella and pop it into the oven for a simple yet amazing dish. Then drizzle some balsamic vinegar for that extra oomph!

We could go on about this wonderful cheese but why not visit our online shop at https://thefrenchgrocer.com/product/italy-mozzarella-cheese-125gr-pugliese to pick up a few packets and try out the recipes?

Ever been to a restaurant in France and the waiter recommends you a “côte de boeuf”? This is a very popular and excellent cut of beef, and is commonly served along a variety of specialty sauce. However, do you know what cut of meat does “côte de boeuf” refer to? It is actually a thick-cut rib eye steak on the bone that has a fairly high fat content so this ensures maximum juiciness! But how do you prepare this quality meat at home? In this article, we share a simple recipe.

Here are the ingredients you need:

• A piece of côte de boeuf (get it here: https://thefrenchgrocer.com/product/argentina-grain- fed-angus-beef-cote-de-boeuf-800g-pce-frozen
• Salt and ground pepper
• Thyme and rosemary
• Garlic cloves
• Extra virgin olive oil

Preparation Method:

If your côte de boeuf is frozen, remove it from the refrigerator and let it thaw in room temperature until it is ready to use. Next, preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius.

Now slather extra virgin olive oil over the côte de boeuf and season it generously with salt and pepper. Put a frying pan over medium heat and get it up to a good temperature before adding olive oil. You can now place the côte de boeuf in the pan and sear it for about 3 minutes. Remember, don’t move the meat until the bottom is gently browned. Then flip over and sear for another 3 minutes. Once both sides are done, place the thyme, rosemary and chopped garlic around the meat for their fragrance to permeate.

The final step is to transfer the pan into the pre-heated oven for about 20 minutes. You can insert a thermometer to measure the doneness of your preference. Voilà, a simple côte de boeuf recipe that you can try at home!

We all love a drink or two after work at our favourite watering hole and there is a huge variety of alcoholic beverages that we can choose from. Whenever the topic of having a drink comes up, rum is surely one of the popular options because it is so versatile. It is simply perfect for any occasion; from a sunny outdoor picnic to a cold evening when you need something warmish to unwind. But do you know the different ways to mix rum for a refreshing pick-me-up? In this article, we guide you through some beverages that work miraculously to create a simple but refreshing rum cocktail!

Rum and Tonic Water

Let’s start with a common one. With its characteristic bittersweet quality, tonic is actually a versatile mixer that goes well with rum. Add a splash of tonic to rum and it will develop something that is sweet and full of depth. Simply fill a highball glass with ice and use one part rum to four parts tonic. Then shake it well and add some mint leaves to garnish. Voilà!

Rum and Lime Juice

Now let’s go to the zesty one. The uplifting notes of lemon and lime contrast perfectly with the spiced tones of rum to create a wonderful concoction that will have you returning for more! To make a simple mixture, add lime juice, some mint leaves and sugar into a cocktail shaker and shake it up for a good 30 seconds. After that, add in about 150ml of rum and shake again until they’re fully mixed. Finally, add a dash of soda water if you prefer.

At The French Grocer, we offer a small but interesting section of rums and spirits. In this article, we’re excited to introduce Trois Rivières Rum from French Martinique. When the generous nature of Southern Martinique expresses itself, this signature smooth rum is born. Bursting with amazing aromas, it has an amazing fullness with mineral and seawater notes, and a beautiful finish with tones of black and white pepper! Get it here at: https://thefrenchgrocer.com/product/rum-trois-rivieres-martinique-100cl-50-bot

New Caledonia has a special place in our heart because this beautiful island is where we source the world-famous vanilla pods and flowery honey. The vanilla, for example, is of such exceptional grading that even Michelin-restaurants in Singapore partner with us to feature it in their dessert creations! So you can tell that we only offer you the finest standards of vanilla in our online shop. But how much do you know about New Caledonia and why does this island in the South Pacific offer such a diverse range of natural foods?

New Caledonia is a French territory that comprises of a dozen islands and its capital is Noumea. It is world renowned for its sandy beaches lined with palm trees that sway gently in the wind and a lagoon that’s teeming with marine life. Incidentally, the lagoon is the world’s largest which also means it is a haven for scuba diving enthusiasts! And here’s the best part: because of its relative seclusion and efforts put in to ensure protection of its flora and fauna, much of the biodiversity on the island remains natural and pure. Evidently, this is why we insist on sourcing our vanilla pods and honey from New Caledonia!

Take for instance, Vanilla. It was introduced on the island of Lifou in 1860 by Pastor Marc Fariane from Madagascar. However, it was only until 1980 that real cultivation efforts were undertaken to turn it into the thriving industry that we know of today. Typically, it takes at least 3 years for the vanilla plant start producing and after the annual flowering, the beans reach maturity in about 9 months before being harvested by hand with extreme care because this critical stage determines the eventual quality of the pod. We are impressed by this extra attention to harvesting the plant because vanilla is delicate and how it’s being cultivated (by hand or by machine) could make a difference in the subtlety of its taste. Most importantly, the islands on which the vanilla is cultivated are free from agricultural diseases and the farmers do not use any pesticides or fertilisers. In their place, natural compost made of coconut and vegetables are used instead.

Find all the unique flavours and fragrances of our vanilla at established cafes and restaurants today. You can also visit https://thefrenchgrocer.com/shop/vanilla for the complete experience: available in pods, extracts, pastes and powders.

Christmas is soon upon us and what’s a jolly good season without a feast to mark the end of the year? At The French Grocer, we have put together a very special festive menu that you can order from the comfort of your home. From mustard raclette to premium truffle ham, we have it all. Read on to see how our menu can feature on your festive dining table!

Mustard Raclette

We know it’s that magical season again so how about adding some jazz to the raclette cheese that we are so familiar with? At The French grocer, we present this very special Mustard Raclette that will certainly spice up your cheese platter! Raclette comes from the French word that means “to scrape”. It is made from raw cow’s milk that gives it a distinctive rural note and rich flavours. Its slow maturation in caves also helps to develop the powerful flavours of the Franche-Comté pastures, known throughout the world for their specially raised cows.

There are many ways to enjoy this lovely cheese from the Jura Mountains but we are going simply with the classic favourite…over pickled onions and hot potatoes! Looking for a good wine to pair with raclette? We recommend white wine as the acid helps to overcome the fat of the cheese and adds a little touch of freshness. Apart from mustard raclette, we also offer to you in the menu, peppered raclette and raw milk raclette, two versions that are equally delicious whichever way you prepare them.

And what’s Christmas without a mouth-watering selection of hams? We have also put together an ensemble of hams that will be an excellent feature together with the spread you have on the festive table! First among which is the premium truffle ham specially selected by our Master Butcher for its unique flavour and guaranteed quality, free from protein fillers artificial flavourings. We have also in store for you honey glazed ham, Christmas ham pork shoulder and smoked gammon ham so take a look at our festive menu today to make it a feast! Click here for the festive menu: https://thefrenchgrocer.com/product-category/festive-season-selection