Bouquet Garni

My house is filled with the aroma of smoked something…….   I found myself with a smoked turkey carcass with which to make some homemade broth.   I decided to add a “Bouquet Garni” to the mirepoix to add some flavor other than the smokey one.  My bouquet consisted
of fresh Italian parsley, fresh thyme, bay leaf, peppercorns, cloves, and allspice berries.  I was concerned about the smokey flavor overpowering the broth so I doubled the amount of herbs called for in Joy of Cooking’s recipe for bouquet garni.  The fragrant herbs came through and flavored the amber-colored broth very nicely.

Bouquet Garni can be a combination of any herbs, spices or vegetables bound in a bundle or tied in a piece of cheesecloth.  It’s a cinch to make bouquet garni and a wonderful way to enhance your broth, soup or stew.  With winter around the corner I’ll be serving soups and stews often from my kitchen and I’ll bet you will too.  Follow the basic recipe below or get creative and make your own personal bouquet garni.

Enjoy!

Bouquet Garni

Ingredients:
3-4 sprigs of parsley
1/3-1/2 bay leaf
2 sprigs thyme
Bunch together herbs and tie with kitchen string or bundle in cheesecloth and tie with string.  Be sure to remove your bundle or bag before serving.

I couldn’t resist sharing these lovely photos of Bouquet Garni to get your creative juices flowing: