Bouquet garni, meaning literally "garnished bouquet" in French, is a mixture of herbs used to impart flavor to soups and other simmered dishes. The herbs are enclosed in cheesecloth or a similarly porous container to prevent them from escaping during cooking. A bouquet garni usually includes dried bay leaves and fresh parsley and thyme.
To make a bouquet garni:
Place the herbs in the center of a small square of cheesecloth. Bring the corners together and tie securely with kitchen string. Or, combine all ingredients in tea ball and secure the top. For other herbs, see basil, bay leaves, borage, chervil, chives, cilantro, dill, epazote, fennel, fines herbes, garlic chives, herbes de Provence, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, summer savory, tarragon, and thyme.