Skip to main content
Inside Market Hall

15 French Flourishes For This Summer

25 July 2019

You don’t need to be a devoted francophile to enjoy our celebration of all things French and delicieux at Market Hall Foods. We quizzed our test kitchen team to come up with this list of quinze ideas for your French-inspired summer.

Ways to Channel your Inner Français

MARIAGE FRÈRES grey french blueA français twist on summer cocktails

Swap out the warming mugs of tea for cool cocktails this summer, by using Mariage Frères Teas as your mixologist secret ingredient. Cold-steep your tea for one hour directly in your liquor of choice—gin or vodka work well—then drain and get creative.

1. Add a hint of bergamot to a classic French 75 with steeped Earl Grey French Blue in gin. Or take your Moscow Mule on a trip to Paris by spiking your vodka with Black Léopard Smoky Tea

2. Want to skip the booze? Mix strongly steeped tea with soda water and honey to taste.


KL Keller salted caramel crumblesCrumbles for all occasions

These buttery, crunchy little sprinkles from KL Keller Foodways can be used in everything—cooking, baking, topping, swirling, dipping and drinking—anytime you crave a hit of French caramelly goodness. And, unlike that block of brown sugar you've got in your pantry, they never stick together.

3. For a summer dessert with a taste of the tropics, grill pineapple and sprinkle with French Salted Caramel Crumbles.

4. Or the simplest dessert of all—crumbles sprinkled over strawberries and crème fraîche.


cave de l'abbee rous banyuls vinegarWhat’s sweet, tart and versatile?

Banyuls vinegar—a sherry-like vinegar from Southern France—is made from the naturally sweet wine of Banyuls (50% Grenache Noir, 40% Grenache Gris, 10% Carignan). The vinegar is aged for 6 years in oak barrels stored outdoors, exposing it to the cool sea breezes and chilly winds off the Pyrenees. The result? A forward tang with a hint of sweetness and subtle aromas of vanilla and nuts.

This balanced sweet and savory flavor makes it out go-to for everything from dressings and marinades to pan sauces and quick pickles.

5. Marinate your fresh sardines or anchovies in Banyuls.

6. Spritz it over raspberries.

7. Use it in our recipe for Summer-Ready Bean Salad.


KL Keller Espelette Dijon MustardPique-nique with French flair

Spice up a simple picnic and set out to savor the summer sun with KL Keller Foodway’s mustard made with Piment d'Espelette, the coveted, spicy red pepper from the Basque region of France.

8. Elevate your jambon sandwiches with Comté, arugula and this dijon-style spiced mustard.

9. Complete your picnic with our recipe for Double Deviled Eggs, using both this Espelette mustard and the spice itself.


Piment d'EspeletteMore spicy suggestions

If the Piment d’Espelette piqued your interest, there are limitless ways to use this prized spice. Its fruity flavor and fragrant red pepper aroma offers a heat that is warm and food-friendly, complementing many types of cuisine.

10. Try it in our versatile recipe for Espelette Aioli

11. Or simply mix the spice into butter and top grilled fish or prawns.


Montelimar Nougat SupremA French hiking (and baking) hack

The legend goes that in the 17th century, a sweet old woman would make a secret candy for her nephews and nieces...when they saw it, they would exclaim, "tu nous gates", or "you spoil us". When she passed, she bequeathed the secret recipe to her favorite niece Lina and asked her to name them after their cries of joy, "nougat!".

12. For a tasty snack that won’t melt during your next summer hike, try French Nougat de Montélimar. This wholesome confection envelopes almonds and a dash of pistachios in soft, creamy nougat made with egg whites and lavender honey—without this rare lavender honey, it can't be called Nougat de Montélimar.

13. Added bonus: we’ve even started using this nougat in our baking. Try adding it to your next batch of cookies!


Hervy Fleur De SelYour summer sea salt

This natural, unprocessed salt from M. Gilles Hervy, is harvested from the foam of seawater (the "flower of salt") in Brittany, France. The crystals are fine and moist and give off a clean ocean scent.

14. Serve with crisp radishes and unsalted French butter for the quintessential French treat.

15. Or top your vanilla ice cream with a glug of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of this fleur de sel.