Recipe Page: Bouquet Garni

Beef Stew

Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes

Tender, rich and oh so delicious.

Utensils

  • Large pot or Dutch ove

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs stewing beef, cut into chunks
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 bouquet garni
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the stewing beef and brown on all sides. Remove from the pot and set aside.
  2. In the same pot, add garlic, onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Return the beef to the pot. Add beef broth, red wine, tomato paste, and the bouquet garni. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until the beef is tender.
  5. Remove the bouquet garni and discard.
  6. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

Mushroom Soup

Duration: 40 minutes

Deeply rich and full of tasty umami goodness.

Utensils

  • Large pot

Ingredients

  • 1 lb mixed mushrooms (such as button mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms), sliced
  • 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 bouquet garni
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chopped fresh thyme for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, melt butter or heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until softened.
  2. Add the sliced mushrooms to the pot and cook until they release their moisture and start to brown.
  3. Pour in the vegetable broth and add the bouquet garni. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  5. Remove the bouquet garni and discard.
  6. Using an immersion blender or regular blender, blend the soup until smooth. If using a regular blender, work in batches.
  7. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh thyme.

Lentil Stew

Duration: 40 minutes

Super tasty and full of healthy good stuff.

Utensils

  • Large pot

Ingredients

  • 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 bouquet garni
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, combine rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, chopped onion, diced carrots, diced celery, minced garlic, diced tomatoes (with their juices), and the bouquet garni.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
  3. Remove the bouquet garni and discard.
  4. Season the lentil stew with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.