FoodBanter.com - View Single Post

>From: (Sheellah)

>I've never used one of these and I was just wondering if they came ready made
>in the supermarkets. Every thing seems to be premade today, so why not this
>;-). I know they have soup greens pre packaged. Hate to buy full bunches of
>herbs when you just need a bit as they are expensive, and have no idea where
>to
>get cheesecloth. Can you make several in advance and freeze them, if they
>can't
>be bought premade? Any advice on this?

I love your post. Until I lived with the House Chef I didn't understand the
difference between a Bouquet Garni and a Sachet.

Here's the deal. A bouquet garni as I understand it, is a bunch of fresh herbs,
tied up with string and placed in the cooking pot to flavor the dish, but
easily removed at the point where their oil has been released, not necessarily
when the dish is complete. The House Chef sometimes slip knots the garni to the
pot handle so it can be easily pulled out after the essential oils have been
released.

A Sachet is your choice of herbs contained in cheescloth, and allowed to steep
in your dish, much like a tea. The House Chef does this most often in Thai
soups...when woody Lemon Grass might break up in the soup, if it was done as a
Bouquet Garni.

Okay, to get back to YOUR subject, yes I have seen premade fresh herb mixes at
my local Publix. There is an Italian herb mix and a Fines Herbs Mix. Can't
remember any others. You might ask your local market that already carries fresh
herbs if the mixes are available.

On the other hand, you might grow your own. My personal experience is that the
first year is a learning experience, after that you will learn what you did
right and wrong. By the second or third year you will be reaping fresh herbs
like a pro. Then growing fresh herbs becomes your culinary lifestyle. *grin*

Supplement fresh herbs with good quality dried herbs and you'll be shocked at
how often you use them. Oh, and how flavorful and healthful your food will be.

Ellen