Bay Leaves?

[Michael_in_TX]

Bay leaves....



Please vote and discuss!

[Mosca]

You can’t tell if they’re in there, but you can tell if you left them out.

[MBMorgan]

Yep ... +1

[DaveD]

And this is the very definition of essential, IMO...

[Michael_in_TX]

You can’t tell if they’re in there, but you can tell if you left them out.

I like that. I keep wondering if these things are adding anything, but I don't want to go through the entire effort of a long simmer just to test the idea.

[Mosca]

I’ve left them out of soups and stews by accident. The food is still good, just not as good. I wouldn’t drive to the store to get bay leaves, but I would put them on the list for next time.

[ssandy_561]

Bay Leaves are a must when I make shrimp cocktail. Too much is not good but if I do not put a bay leaf in when I put the shrimp in the boiling water it’s just not right.

[JLR]

Cook some chicken broth with a bay leaf or two and some without a bay leaf then compare the taste.

[shify]

Yes bay leaves have flavor and your example would (likely) prove that but the bigger question I’ve always wondered about is how much of a difference would that subtle taste impart in like a big hearty stew or a gumbo. I’m still not sold on it but wouldnt dare challenge it (although I wouldn’t run out to the market if I found myself out when cooking)!

[JLR]

shify One problem is most people use decades old bay leaves. Also, many people eat so fast they don't take the time to enjoy the variety of flavors. The extent of their palate training is from McDonald's, so the subtle flavor produced by a bay leaf is lost on them. Not worth a trip to the store for this crowd. (These are the same people who dump BBQ sauce on brisket because they lack the faculties to detect & enjoy the flavors imparted by smoke, seasoning, and proper cooking.)

[mrteddyprincess]

All the varieties of bay leaf trees can't survive the winter up here. Anybody down south have these growing on your property?

B

[CandySueQ]

I have a bay plant in a pot. I bring it in for winter.

[WayneT]

We've a bay bush at the corner of our porch which gets used quite a bit...when appropriate.

[ofelles]

So......you go out behind the bush and??

[WayneT]

ofelles Yes, when appropriate. 🤫

[JeffJ]

The dried ones don't add a lot of flavor but the ones I pay a premium for at the spice aisle - absolutely notice the flavor.

[awsop]

I believed bay leaves were a scam until I recently purchased the El Guapo brand at Walmart. Amazing aroma and flavor.

[Carolyn]

If you get the bay leaf, you have to bring the next gumbo. (People who know about King Cakes will get this joke.)

[captainlee]

I have always wondered about Bay Leaves but never had the guts to leave them out.

[ecowper]

I bought 4oz of dried bay leaves from Spice Jungle. This appears to be enough to last me the rest of my life and have some left for my kids to inherit. These are really good aroma, definitely impact soups and stews

[Bob K]

ecowper - I did the same damn thing. 1 oz? Nah, better go with a quarter-pound. Oops. I give a small bag away whenever I can. I’m basically a bay leaf dealer.

[ecowper]

Bob K awesome now I know what to do with my lifetime supply of bay leaves …. Become a dealer! Here you go, have a little taste to get you started. You’ll be back for more!

[Carolyn]

Ha Ha Dealing nickel bags of bay. Too funny.

[Dick Anderson]

California Bay is a different flavor; Alton Brown called it an abomination, IIRC. Having grown up using it, I can taste a difference. There is a Mediterranean variety growing at a city park where I gather mine now
California Bay sprigs thrown onto hot coals just before adding steak was a boy scout trick we learned. Maybe that's why I use it in soups and sauces.

[Michael_in_TX]

I must be using old or ultra-dry leaves. A few of you have mentioned 'aroma.' The batch I have has very little. (And I noted that I opened them in March of this year.)

[JLR]

Spices from supermarkets tend to sit on the shelf for a long, long, long time.

[Carolyn]

So, dry Bay leaves don't impart anything like other dry spices do? I use several in my gumbo because I figured dry leaves aren't that potent. Does it make a difference? I don't know. I am now tempted to buy a plant and use it.