14 Comments
User's avatar
Kate Hill's avatar

Brava! Everyone wanting to cook à la Français should read this. Fines Herbes, herbes de Provence, and bouquet garni are as integral to good cooking as all good ingredients. This is a great guide to choosing Laura. Merci! As for épice Rabelais, you can find it in every farmshop in France in the charcuterie section- knives, terrines, grinder, jars, as a popular ingredient for country pâtés. And yes, a bit heavy on the cloves so go easy. See you soon!

Expand full comment
Laura Washburn Hutton's avatar

Merci Kate and see you soon xx

Expand full comment
le Bulletin 🇫🇷by Judy MacMahon's avatar

food detective - I love it

Expand full comment
Liam Collens's avatar

A thorough and enjoyable read. I’ve often wondered about some mixes so this was a very interesting piece. Thank you for your service 🫡

Expand full comment
Laura Washburn Hutton's avatar

You’re welcome and happy to be of assistance 😊

Expand full comment
Melinda Ness's avatar

No, never. Only fresh. To me dried mint has an odd taste.

Expand full comment
Melinda Ness's avatar

I keep a few spice blends on hand from my local spice shop, z’atar, ras al hanout. I make my own curry blends. Not so many dried herbs in my cabinet, just Mexican and Mediterranean oregano. However my spice shop does a blend called pot herbs, that I throw into soups and stews along with fresh herbs and, fines herbs. The smell of the fines herbs is intoxicating. I never thought to recreate using fresh herbs, not sure why but now I will have to do so. Great article. Thank you!!

Expand full comment
Laura Washburn Hutton's avatar

Thank you Melinda. I agree about select dried Oregano, definitely a good one. I didn’t really get into dried mint because it’s not French but strangely that is another dried one that has its uses. Do you use it?

Expand full comment
Matt Inwood's avatar

Wonderfully researched and fascinating piece, Laura. And I'm 100% with you on drying basil and those soft herbs!

Expand full comment
Laura Washburn Hutton's avatar

Thanks Matt 🥰

Expand full comment
Jenny Hammerton's avatar

I have heard tell that Marlene Dietrich's dish of choice to cook when attempting to seduce someone was pot-au-feu... I am tempted...

Expand full comment
Laura Washburn Hutton's avatar

Very aphrodisiac I’m sure

Expand full comment
Andrea's avatar

Wow! Cookery detective. Quite a feat unravelling all that. Thanks! Have a good trip down.

Expand full comment
Laura Washburn Hutton's avatar

Thank you 😊

Expand full comment