These days I'm busy with harvests from my herb gardens, and thoughts have turned once more to 'what to make' that I will use
+ enjoy in the kitchen to elevate our meals -- with scrumptious taste as well as increased nutrition + healing herbal power! I love to make 'herb bundles' as gardeners have done for centuries!
It just makes sense to pick a sprig here and there + add to others to create a 'flavour profile' of herbs to use when enhancing a sauce or stew etc. Bouquet garni (which means literally 'garnished bouquet') is a common element in French cooking and very easy to make!
What herbs are used to make a bouquet garni?
The traditional combination is bay leaf, parsley and thyme. As with so many traditional herbal recipes, the choices can change or there may be additional ingredients may vary according to the town or the region. We also find "bouquet garni " containing other herbs such as basil, chervil, peppercorns, rosemary or tarragon.
How to make a bouquet garni
To make a classic "bouquet garni", gather a few of each.. some parsley stalks, thyme sprigs + a couple of Bay leaves.
Tie the herbs with kitchen string into a bundle. There's no 'right or wrong' way .. I suggest that you leave a little extra string so that the bundle can easily be removed after use.
Another idea; put the bundle into a small muslin bag or tie up in some muslin or cheesecloth. This is also an idea if one wants to add some peppercorns or other ingredients.
That's it! Easy.. It's ready to use.
We can make this classic or add whatever is available to change up the flavours + nutrients as well as the herbal attributes!
How to use herb bundles:
Herbs are gathered into bundles and secured with a string before being added to stews or soups while they are cooking. The bundles are removed prior to consumption leaving behind a delicate combination of subtle flavours.
Add a little French influence to your cooking by making your own bouquet garni.
Can you freeze herb bundles?
Herb bundles are best made fresh. However, if you prefer to make several bouquet garni at once, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze them in a well-sealed freezer bags or freezer containers. We want to package in ways which will help to prevent dehydration.
There are so many ways to make delicious herbal bundles.. This classic French version..this is but ONE of many ideas for herb combinations!
Benefits of Bouquet Garni herbs
Thyme is a powerhouse of goodness.
For more info about the benefits of THYME MEDICINE --
Parsley is highly nutritious + packed with more goodness!
For more info about the benefits of Parsley ... check out this post.
Bay leaves. mostly used to flavour soups + stews but can also be used medicinally. Here are a few of the many uses:
- antioxidant
- antimicrobial
- anti-fungal
- can help lower blood sugar levels.
- digestive aid
- possible anti-cancer attributes
What's growing in your garden? What's available at the farmers' markets? What flavours do you like? What health issues would you like to improve? All of these questions can help us sort out what to grow AND what to bundle together!!!
Here's a fun project !! Make the bouquet garni into ICE Cubes for another way to preserve for future soups n' stews etc!!! Check it out HERE.
Have fun with Herb Bundles -- Try different combos. I'd love to hear what you put together--
Here's to our health -- until next time.. Carol xo
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