Bouquet Garni

One of the first things I was taught to make in the kitchen was a classic bouquet garni. This is a bundle of herbs that is added to casseroles, stocks, sauces and soups. It traditionally comprises parsley (or parsley stalks, which have lots of flavour), a few sprigs of thyme and a bay leaf. These herbs may be bundled together with a strip of leek or a piece of celery stalk, or tied with kitchen string, to keep them together during cooking and allow for easy removal before serving.