What is a bouquet garni?

A bouquet garni is indeed a bundle of herbs used for flavoring dishes, particularly in soups, stews, and stocks. This traditional French technique involves gathering herbs, typically tied together with kitchen twine or placed in a piece of cheesecloth, allowing them to infuse their flavors into the dish without needing to strain out individual leaves or stems later. Common herbs used in a bouquet garni include thyme, bay leaf, and parsley, among others. The use of a bouquet garni is advantageous because it allows for the infusion of multiple flavors while making it easy to remove the herbs once cooked, ensuring a clean and flavorful final dish. Understanding this technique is essential for enhancing the taste of various culinary preparations.