The bouquet garni, an essential element of French cuisine, is a combination of aromatic herbs used to infuse dishes and sauces in many recipes. Traditionally, a bouquet garni consists of parsley stalks, thyme, and bay leaves. Adding leek greens makes it easier to assemble. Other aromatic herbs such as tarragon, rosemary, and sage can also be added, depending on the dish it will be used in. The ingredients are tied together with food-safe string. Leaving about twenty centimeters of string hanging out of the container allows the cook to easily remove the bouquet at the end of cooking.