Post by Paulinemom on Sept 15, 2007 11:08:07 GMT
General Description
Bay Leaves come from the sweet bay or laurel tree, known botanically as Laurus nobilis. The elliptical leaves of both trees are green, glossy, and grow up to 3 inches long.
Origin
Bay Leaves are traditionally grown in the Mediterranean region.
Traditional Use
Bay Leaves, a staple in kitchens, are used in soups, stews, meat and vegetable dishes. The leaves also flavour classic French dishes such as bouillabaise and bouillon. Bay leaves are also used in Bulgarian cuisine, especially when cooking rice dishes, similar to the Paella.
Taste and Aroma
Bay Leaves are pungent and have a sharp, bitter taste.
Ideas to Get You Started
The Bay Leaf is useful in hearty, homestyle cooking.
When you are making bean, split pea and vegetable soups, meat stews, spaghetti sauce, and chilli, a Bay leaf can be added for a more pungent flavour.
Alternate whole Bay Leaves with meat, seafood, or vegetables on skewers before cooking.
Be sure to remove Bay Leaves before eating a dish that has finished cooking.
The whole leaves are used to impart flavour only and are bitter and hard to chew.
Bay Leaves come from the sweet bay or laurel tree, known botanically as Laurus nobilis. The elliptical leaves of both trees are green, glossy, and grow up to 3 inches long.
Origin
Bay Leaves are traditionally grown in the Mediterranean region.
Traditional Use
Bay Leaves, a staple in kitchens, are used in soups, stews, meat and vegetable dishes. The leaves also flavour classic French dishes such as bouillabaise and bouillon. Bay leaves are also used in Bulgarian cuisine, especially when cooking rice dishes, similar to the Paella.
Taste and Aroma
Bay Leaves are pungent and have a sharp, bitter taste.
Ideas to Get You Started
The Bay Leaf is useful in hearty, homestyle cooking.
When you are making bean, split pea and vegetable soups, meat stews, spaghetti sauce, and chilli, a Bay leaf can be added for a more pungent flavour.
Alternate whole Bay Leaves with meat, seafood, or vegetables on skewers before cooking.
Be sure to remove Bay Leaves before eating a dish that has finished cooking.
The whole leaves are used to impart flavour only and are bitter and hard to chew.