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Recipes: Bouquet Garni Bundles, Spring Greens and Bean Soup with Bay Leaf, Herbal Tea with Ginger, Mint and Bay Leaves

May 23, 2008 at 4:21PM

Bouquet Garni Bundles

Makes 4 bundles.

• 4 bay leaves

• 4 sprigs fresh marjoram or oregano

• 4 sprigs fresh thyme

• 4 sprigs fresh parsley

• 4 long strips fresh lemon peel

• 4 small squares cheesecloth

• 4 lengths kitchen twine

Divide bay leaves, marjoram, thyme, parsley and lemon peel among the 4 squares of cheesecloth. Gather cheesecloth at top and tie with twine.

Let dry 3 weeks in cool, dark place (such as a cupboard away from the stove) before using or giving away.

Spring Greens and Bean Soup with Bay Leaf

Serves 4 to 6.

This soup only gets better as it stands, so serve it after refrigerating it overnight.

• 1 c. chopped onions

• 4 cloves garlic, chopped

• 1 tbsp. olive oil

• 1/2 c. peeled and cubed butternut squash

• 1/2 c. diced carrots

• 1/2 c. peeled and diced parsnips

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped

• 2 tbsp. water, optional

• 3 medium tomatoes, cored and diced

• 1/3 c. minced fresh parsley

• 2 tsp. dried Italian herb seasoning

• 4 c. defatted stock

• 1 c. canned white beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 c. uncooked macaroni

• 1 Bouquet Garni Bundle (see recipe ) or 2 bay leaves, crushed and wrapped in cheesecloth

• 1 c. coarsely chopped greens (such as kale or spinach)

• Salt, pepper

In large Dutch oven, cook onions, garlic and oil over medium-high heat 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until soft but not browned.

Add squash, carrots, parsnips and bell pepper and cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add 2 tablespoons water if needed to prevent scorching. Add tomatoes, parsley and Italian seasoning and cook 2 minutes.

Add stock, beans, macaroni and bouquet garni. Bring to boil. Lower heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, 25 minutes or until macaroni is soft and flavors blended. Add greens and salt and pepper to taste and cook 2 minutes. Discard bouquet garni bundle.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories 214

Carbohydrates 34 g

Protein 9 g

Fat 4 g

including sat. fat 1 g

Cholesterol 0 mg

Sodium 130 mg

Calcium 82 mg

Dietary fiber 6 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1 vegetable exch., 2 bread/ starch exch., and 1 fat exch.

Herbal Tea with Ginger, Mint and Bay Leaves

Serves 2.

This folklore-based recipe is close to the tea that my French friends served me for my stomachache. I add mint for flavor.

• 1 (1-in.) piece fresh ginger

• 3 c. water

• 1/2 c. fresh mint leaves

• 2 bay leaves, crushed

• Honey

Grate ginger into small saucepan. Add water and bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until mixture is reduced to about 2 cups. Add mint and bay leaves. Cover and steep 5 minutes. Strain. Add honey to taste.