You are here: / French food

Benja Chicken: Simply Perfect For Roasting!

/in /by

Roast chicken is a typical comfort food that we enjoy with the closest of family at home, and because it’s everywhere, it’s also seemingly easy to prepare. However, to have the perfect roast chicken, you’ll need the perfect…chicken of course! At The French Grocer, we are pleased to introduce a new addition to our online shop: Benja Farm raw chicken. Raised without antibiotics, this is a cage-free certified and the world’s first brown-rice fed chicken. We guarantee that no growth hormone is added to the feed and this is also certified by the American NSF International.

From Thailand, this 100% natural product boasts a rich flavour profile. More importantly, it is more tender and juicier than the conventional market’s chicken by up to 55%! The taste is in the pudding so we’ll leave the taste test to you. And below is a quick-and-easy recipe for roast chicken that you can try once you buy the product. Act fast!

Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 425F (or about 218C)
  • Clean the chicken by rinsing it on the inside, then pat dry
  • Liberally smear salt and pepper on the inside of the chicken
  • Now stuff the chicken with sprigs of thyme, garlic cloves and lemon slices
  • Brush the outside of the chicken with butter and sprinkle some salt to finish
  • Tie the legs with kitchen string and place onion, carrots and garden vegetables in the pan
  • Roast the chicken for about 5 hours till it’s golden brown
  • Place everything on a platter and carve the chicken to preference before serving

Get the Benja Chicken right here at: https://thefrenchgrocer.com/product/benja-farm-raw- chicken-griller-1-9kg-frozen

Under The Vine: Our Second Online Boutique!

/in /by

Fans and friends of The French Grocer, we have great news for you! Thanks to your loyal support over the years, we have recently expanded into a second online shop “Under The Vine” that serves even more exquisite foods and ingredients from around the world! This site is complementary to The French Grocer as our products are meant to bring the best culinary enjoyment onto the dining table, even in the humble kitchen at home! If you like what you see at The French Grocer so far, we promise you an elevated experience with premium products such as caviar, bottarga, foie gras, truffles and more.

Under The Vine is an online fine grocery shop inspired by the concept of communal dining in a vineyard where good food is always paired with good wine, and of course, a violinist serenading in the background. Fine dining at home with family and close friends needn’t be complicated – just set up the table and leave the rest to us. Because when you eat good, you feel good.

And here’s even greater news! Subscribe now to Under The Vine’s e-newsletter and immediately receive 10% off your first purchase. No minimum order required! Our current best sellers are smoked salmon fillet, Parmigiano Reggiano from Italy, Angus beef ribeye from Australia and N25 Kaluga hybrid caviar – each of them exquisite in their own rights. Fill up your cart with some good products today…but you got to be fast as stocks move quickly! Visit Under The Vine’s online boutique today at: www.underthevine.sg and start making your first order!

Lemon Butter Garlic Scallops Recipe

/in /by

Love scallops? The French Grocer sources the best scallops from around the world thanks to its trusted partners such as Ocean Gems. There are many varieties of scallops but those from Hokkaido stand out the most. This is because our partner’s stringent selection ensures that only high-quality scallops are chosen to be cleaned, processed and packed within hours of harvesting. This preserves their natural freshness, taste and texture to the maximum.

Furthermore, the whole shells are processed with no chemical or preservative, giving these scallops a plump and succulent sweetness.

They are also an excellent source of vitamin B12 and Omega 3 fatty acids. And did you know, these scallops are snap frozen making them sashimi grade!

And now for the best part, our simple recipe for lemon butter garlic scallops.

Instructions:

  • Our scallops are frozen so thaw them in cold water first and pat them dry with paper
  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat and slowly add the scallops so that they don’t stick to each
  • Now season with a little salt and pepper and sear for about 3 minutes on each
  • See a golden crust forming on the bottom? Flip to the other side and continue searing for another 2
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and add in chopped
  • Finally, pour in a little white wine and let it simmer for a few minutes and add a tablespoon of lemon juice for that wonderful zest!

Get our Hokkaido Scallops here in different sizes at: https://thefrenchgrocer.com/product/japan-hokkaido-scallop-roe-off-26-30-pcs-kg-m-size- frozen

Mozzarella – Queen of Mediterranean Cuisine

/in /by

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?

The Marvels of Cooking & Whipping Cream (All-in-One!)

/in /by

We’ve seen whipped cream in supermarkets – and of course, in our desserts but do you know what you can do with cooking & whipping cream? It is a highly versatile type of cream and in this article, we’re going to share some simple dishes that would be simply perfect with this product. At The French Grocer, we introduce to you Candia 30% fat UHT Professional Cooking & Whip Cream (one litre).

This excellent product from France that uses 100% French milk falls in between cooking and whipping cream. It is suitable for both sweet and savoury dishes, and performs well also as a binding agent in gratins and quiches. This is because it remains stable and homogeneous in either hot or cold preparations, even when exposed to high temperatures or over long cooking periods.

And now for the fun part! Here are some dishes where you can incorporate this product and instantly turn up the taste by several notches!

1) Gnocchi: jazz it up with pesto sauce and Candia cream

2) Strawberry cream cupcakes: simply oozing with smooth and decadent filling

3) Lasagna: the perfect combination with creamy mozzarella cheese

4) Frittata: a wonderful Italian breakfast that’s rich and creamy

5) New York mud pie: a dessert straight from heaven made better with whipped cream

6) Pasta with herbed cream sauce: add this product into the dish and feel the difference!

7) Roast beef: Pair this dish with red wine cream sauce…delectable

Need more ideas on how to incorporate Candia Professional Cooking & Whipping Cream into your dishes? Drop us a message on our instagram @the_french_grocer You can also shop for this product at: https://thefrenchgrocer.com/product/france-candia-30-fat-uht-professional-cooking-whip-cream-1l

Simple Côte de Boeuf Recipe

/in /by

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:

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!

Lamb Meat in Focus

/in /by

This month, The French Grocer is all about the beautiful and succulent lamb meat. That’s why we have prepared for you a wonderful selection of lamb meats on our online shop including rack of lamb, lamb tenderloin, lamb leg bone and of course, lamb shank. In this article, we are going to share a simple but absolutely delicious lamb shank recipe that you can prepare and dazzle guests at the dining table!

There are so many parts of a lamb that we could enjoy but lamb shank stands out as the part that melts and falls off into tender portions after slow cooking. This makes it a hot favourite among many aspiring chefs! You could serve it over a side of mashed potatoes or even spinach and garnish with herbs.

Slow-Cooked Red Wine Lamb Shank Recipe

For slow-cooked red wine braised lamb shank, you would need to first season the lamb shank in salt and pepper and brown it by cooking on one side for about 7 minutes and the other side for another 7 minutes. Then remove the shank and put it aside. Now add carrots, onions and celery to the pot and sautée them. Lastly, add some garlic and continue cooking for a minute or two.

And now for the star of the dish: red wine. Add it together with some beef broth into the pot as well as herbs (rosemary, thyme, etc). Then add some tomato paste and stir them all together. Finally, put in the lamb shank and make sure the gravy covers the meat. Bring the content to a boil and reduce the heat to a slow simmer and cook for another 2 hours. And the final step, which is also the most rewarding, is to open the lid and check if your lamb shank has become tender and soft!

For the best selection of lamb shank and other lamb cuts, visit: https://thefrenchgrocer.com/product/nz-lamb-foreshank-bone-in-350g-pc-3-pcs-pkt-frozen

Enjoy Your Rum The French Grocer Way

/in /by

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 Product In-Store: Stracciatella Cheese

/in /by

 

What is Stracciatella cheese? The name may not be too common in the world of cheese that we normally see in supermarkets like cheddar, brie or mozzarella but it can certainly be an interesting addition to your culinary ideas! So what exactly is Stracciatella cheese? It is actually a traditional type of Italian cheese that is made from pulled mozzarella curds mixed with some fresh cream. This cheese is in fact the filling of a Burrata (an Italian cow milk cheese with a solid outer casing) so it has a semi-liquid consistency therefore spooning it out will be easier.

Stracciatella is made using fresh fresh mozzarella shreds and is becoming popular as a topping for pizzas, salads or an appetizer with freshly-baked breads. It tastes similar to mozzarella but just a little milder and acidic. However, the texture is incredible – it is buttery smooth, creamy and divinely silky!

The biggest question is: how should we appreciate Straticciatella cheese? It is a very versatile cheese and because of its subtle depth, it complements many foods without overpowering them. You can spread this cheese on warm toast and drizzle it with extra virgin olive oil then grind some fresh black pepper to finish off on an earthy note. You can also use it as a topping for pizza that is piping hot from the oven. It will serve as a magnificent topping as it slowly melts to form a delicious sticky gooey layer. You can also serve it with roasted root vegetables and some tomatoes before drizzling balsamic vinegar.

At The French Grocer, we have newly introduced this product that comes in a 200g tub (frozen) for your convenience. Simply perfect on its own but you can enjoy it with other ingredients for many recipes. Get it here at: https://thefrenchgrocer.com/product/italy-pugliese-caseificio-stracciatella-200g-tub-fozen

New Caledonia: Cultivation of Exceptional Vanilla

/in /by

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.