The Bouquet Garni

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

14 Apr 2008 06:39 AM

A bouquet garni is packet of herbs and spices that you put with your pot roast to help flavor the cooking juices. It gives your finished product a hint of whatever you put in it. I should note that typically, a bouquet garni is comprised of parsley, thyme and bay leaf, however, the sky is the limit and you can put just about any type of flavors in your bouquet garni.

How To Make One

You'll need to buy some cheesecloth for this--preferably double layered 100% cotton cheesecloth. You'll also need 100% cotton string. You can get these from the kitchen supply aisle. If you use only dried spices, you can use a tea ball instead. One reason it's great to use cheesecloth is that it allows you to also use other things like pepper corns, mustard seeds, etc. to flavor the cooking liquid without having to strain the cooking liquid later. Cut the cheesecloth to measure 7 inches square. Put your spices in, and using the cheesecloth, make a sachet of sorts and tie the cheesecloth up tightly around the spices.

To use a bouquet garni with your roast, omit any spices or herbs that are in the cooking directions. Instead place the bouquet garni in the pot at the simmering stage. What's great about this is you can try all sorts of different varieties, and be as creative as you want! Here are a few ideas:

From Spain

Tie up in a cheesecloth 6 sprigs of fresh oregano or marjoram, 1 serrano pepper that's halved, 2 cloves of garlic, sliced; the peel from one lemon cut in long wide strips; and 1 teaspoon whole black pepper.

For a North American Flare

Add to your cheesecloth 2 sprigs of fresh parsley and 2 sprigs of fresh thyme; 2 bay leaves; a 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced; 3 inches of stick cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon each of black peppercorns and coriander.

From Italy

Combine 3 tablespoons of dried rosemary, crushed; 3 tablespoons of dried basil, crushed; 3 tablespoons of dried thyme, crushed; 1 teaspoon of garlic powder; 1 teaspoon of salt; and 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper.

From Mexico

Combine 3 tablespoons of finely ground coffee beans; 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder; 1 tablespoon of cumin seeds, slightly crushed; 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of salt.

From Asia

Combine 1/3 cup toasted sesame seeds, 2 tablespoons of dried mint, 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon crushed read pepper.

Related Blogs:

Twice Delicious: Pot Roast Cheese Steaks

5 Great Recipes to Throw in the Crock Pot

Asian Beef Pot Roast

Valorie Delp shares recipes and kitchen tips in the food blog, solves breastfeeding problems, shares parenting tips, and current research in the baby blog, and insight, resources and ideas as a regular guest blogger in the homeschooling blog. To read more articles by Valorie Delp, click here.

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Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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