What are some recipes that use bay leaves?
Bay leaves can be used in the following ways: Prepare a bouquet garni and add to soups, stews, casseroles and sauces. Use in pickling solutions. Add to boiling water for shrimp, crab and other seafood. Use in marinades for meat and fish. Add to milk when preparing homemade rice puddings or other milk puddings.
Do bay leaves actually taste like anything?
When dried, they taste like a subtly bitter combination of mint and spice. Generally, the term "bay leaf" refers to the laurel leaf, a small leaf from the sweet bay tree. The scientific name of this tree is the Laurus nobilis.
How to substitute bay leaves in recipes?
Use this formula to arrive at the proper substitution:
- One fresh bay leaf = two dried leaves
- One dried bay leaf = 1/4 tsp. crushed bay leaf
- One fresh bay leaf = 1/2 tsp. crushed bay leaf
Are bay leaves dangerous to eat?
Eating bay leaves is not only unpleasant, it can also be dangerous for the inside of your mouth. Bay leaves can splinter when stirred as part of a soup or stew. Since these leaves are thick and dry, the splinters can cut the inside of your mouth or throat. Bay leaves are also a choking hazard, especially for small children.
Can you cook with freshly picked bay leaves?
If you find fresh ones or you grow your own, you can dry them and store them in an airtight container. Alternatively, you can freeze the fresh leaves for up to 1 year. Adding fresh or dried bay leaves to your cooking liquid can enhance the flavor of your dish.
What do I do with fresh bay leaves?
In addition to simmering in soups and stews, bay leaves are great for stuffing into the cavity of a chicken before roasting it, and can also be added to the liquid when cooking rice. When ground into a powder, bay leaf is used similarly to a spice.
How long do bay leaves need to cook?
The moral of the story: Feel free to add bay leaves to dishes with cooking times as short as a few minutes, but to really maximize their flavor, simmer them for a full hour. Even quick-cooled dishes benefit from bay leaves.
Do fresh bay leaves need to be dried?
Store bought dry bay is usually bone dry, but freshly dried leaves have a better, deeper flavor. Ideally, dry the leaves for between 48 and 72 hours. If you would rather have bone dry bay leaves, allow the leaves to dry for two weeks in a warm area that is out of direct sunlight.
Do you wash fresh bay leaves?
Washing Bay Leaves Before Drying Them Wash the fresh bay leaves under running water until any dirt is removed from the surface and they are clean. Lay each one down on some paper towels or on a clean and dry dishcloth. Fold over and pat away any excess water or moisture.
Are fresh bay leaves better than dried bay leaves?
Fresh leaves, if overused, can be overpowering in a dish and might need to be removed early during cooking. Once dried, a lot of this vibrancy is lost. Dried bay leaves impart a more subtle flavour and are generally left in a dish as it cooks then retrieved before serving.
Should bay leaf be washed before cooking?
Someone asked me, “What to do with fresh bay leaves before cooking?” Just wash it and use it as you use dry bay leaves. The direction is the same. I like to tear it slightly to get more flavor to my dish. In soups and stocks add 5-10 minutes before the end of cooking and remember to remove after.
Can you use bay leaves straight from the tree?
Bay leaves can be used fresh or dried and are used in cooking to give a fragrant flavour to soups, stews and other dishes.
Are you supposed to crush bay leaves?
They're sometimes used in spice mixes—sparingly, because their flavor is extra-strong when ground—and pickling spices. You can also crush or grind bay leaves yourself, though getting them down to a very fine powder at home can be hard.
How do you store freshly picked bay leaves?
Turns out that the freezer is the best place to store bay leaves! If bay leaves are frozen, they retain almost as much flavor and aroma as a freshly opened jar or package of bay leaves.
How long do fresh bay leaves last?
If you store bay leaves in your spice drawer, for optimal flavor use the leaves within about 2 to 3 months. When you store them for longer, make sure to add more leaves to get the same effects. What is this? If you opt for freezing the leaves, the flavor should be at peak quality for over a year.
How do you release the flavour of a fresh bay leaf?
If you still have your doubts, take some (not ancient) bay leaves and boil them in a bit of water. Let the water cool, remove the bay leaves, and take a sip of that brew. You'll get that bay leaf flavor.
Should bay leaf be washed before cooking?
Someone asked me, “What to do with fresh bay leaves before cooking?” Just wash it and use it as you use dry bay leaves. The direction is the same. I like to tear it slightly to get more flavor to my dish. In soups and stocks add 5-10 minutes before the end of cooking and remember to remove after.
How long does fresh bay leaf last?
If you store bay leaves in your spice drawer, for optimal flavor use the leaves within about 2 to 3 months. When you store them for longer, make sure to add more leaves to get the same effects. What is this? If you opt for freezing the leaves, the flavor should be at peak quality for over a year.
About Edible Bay Leaves
Are some bay leaves toxic? For starters, the leaves produced by Laurus nobilis are not toxic. However, certain species with the name “laurel” or “bay” may actually be poisonous and should be avoided, while others may be perfectly safe. Don’t take chances if you are uncertain.
Cooking with Bay Leaves
So which bay trees are edible? Actual bay leaves ( Laurus nobilis) are safe, but the leathery leaves, which can be sharp on the edges, should always be removed from the dish before serving.
Non-Edible Bay Leaves
Note: Beware of toxic bay-like trees. The following trees have toxic compounds and are not edible. They may have similar names and the leaves may look like regular bay leaves, but they belong to entirely different plant families and are completely unrelated to bay laurel.
