The Menu Structure
- ▪Apéritif: olives, radishes with butter and salt, cured ham
- ▪Starter: a small composed salad or pâté with cornichons
- ▪Main: roast chicken or steak frites, with one vegetable
- ▪Cheese course: 3 cheeses with bread and walnut bread
- ▪Dessert: fresh fruit, a small sweet, espresso
The Shopping List
- ▪Crusty baguette and a walnut loaf
- ▪Cornichons, Dijon mustard, fleur de sel
- ▪Saucisson sec, jambon de Bayonne
- ▪Three cheeses: one bloomy (Brie), one washed-rind (Époisses), one blue (Roquefort)
- ▪Butter (Bordier, Échiré, or any cultured French butter)
- ▪Seasonal fruit and a small pastry
- ▪Wine: a chilled rosé or light red
The Method
The French market meal is paced. Set everything out at room temperature, open a bottle, and let courses unfold over 90-120 minutes. Don't plate fussily — let the ingredients speak.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does French market shopping mean?
French markets are weekly outdoor produce, cheese, charcuterie, and bread markets where shoppers buy fresh ingredients in small quantities for the next few days. The cooking that follows tends to be simple and ingredient-led.
Do I need to cook everything from scratch?
No — quite the opposite. A French market meal is mostly assembled, not cooked. The roast chicken or pan-fried steak is the only thing requiring active cooking. The rest is sliced, plated, and shared.