bouquet garni

Definition

A bundle of herbs tied together or wrapped in cheesecloth, tossed into stocks and braises to infuse flavor before being fished out like aromatic tea bags. The French solution to picking thyme sprigs out of your teeth.

Example Usage

Add a bouquet garni of parsley, thyme, and bay leaf to the pot, then remove it before serving.

Origin

French, literally meaning 'garnished bouquet'

Fun Fact

Traditional bouquet garni consists of parsley, thyme, and bay leaf, but chefs often customize it based on the dish, adding rosemary, peppercorns, or even orange peel.

Source: Classical French cooking techniques

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