Preparing tasty dishes to serve at meals often means knowing just the right herbs and spices to blend together in order to properly enhance the flavors of all the primary ingredients. Different types of cuisines call for varying mixtures which help them achieve their signature styles. Many recipes from all around the world call for the addition of dried bay leaves because of their interesting properties.
Although it is technically classified as an herb, this product which originates from the laurel trees of the Mediterranean areas surrounding Turkey, is used more like a spice. In California, a somewhat more potent strain of this plant is grown and harvested. While they were once used to make the wreaths that were placed on the heads of early Olympic champions, more modern uses include as a crafting medium, decorative element and as a necessary part of any well stocked pantry.
The product tends to do its best work when paired with certain ingredients, which is why it is often considered as a spice. As a single element, the flavor is still savory and rich but its quite subtle and too gentle to make much impact. However, combining it with such things as oregano or cloves seems to activate the properties which help heighten the taste of the recipe.
One batch of this product can last a very long time. Fresh items are usually a bit difficult to find, but if this is the preference, any that is not used right away may be stored in the freezer until a later date. The dried ones are much easier to obtain, work just as effectively as their hydrated counterparts and have the added bonus of being cable of being kept on a shelf for years without losing their potency, though refreshing the supply every twenty-four months is highly recommended.
When replacing an old supply with a new one, the aged herbs still have several ways in which they can be utilized. They are often included in decorative settings and as a primary ingredient in most potpourri blends. If crumbled, they can be sprinkled along the bottom of a dresser drawer, or enclosed in a sachet, to keep garments smelling fresh.
One of the more common ways to utilize this herb is to add it to recipes that are meant to cook slowly over an extended period of time. Allowing the product to heat up in this manner releases the enhancing properties intermittently so that they are more completely mixed with the other ingredients. Adding this and certain spice combinations to beans, lentils, sauces, stocks, marinades, stews and soups can make for a tasty meal.
Steaming is also a highly effective way to cook with this herb. The moist heat permeates the product and infuses its flavors with that of everything else in the pot. It truly brings out the best qualities in such foods as fish, seafood, chicken and vegetables for a pleasurable culinary experience.
It is a bit important to remember that each leaf should be used either whole or halved, not crumbled. All the pieces should be removed before the dish is served. The reason for this is because although the herb provides much flavor throughout the cooking process, but eaten alone the taste is less than appetizing and could spoil the dining experience.
Although it is technically classified as an herb, this product which originates from the laurel trees of the Mediterranean areas surrounding Turkey, is used more like a spice. In California, a somewhat more potent strain of this plant is grown and harvested. While they were once used to make the wreaths that were placed on the heads of early Olympic champions, more modern uses include as a crafting medium, decorative element and as a necessary part of any well stocked pantry.
The product tends to do its best work when paired with certain ingredients, which is why it is often considered as a spice. As a single element, the flavor is still savory and rich but its quite subtle and too gentle to make much impact. However, combining it with such things as oregano or cloves seems to activate the properties which help heighten the taste of the recipe.
One batch of this product can last a very long time. Fresh items are usually a bit difficult to find, but if this is the preference, any that is not used right away may be stored in the freezer until a later date. The dried ones are much easier to obtain, work just as effectively as their hydrated counterparts and have the added bonus of being cable of being kept on a shelf for years without losing their potency, though refreshing the supply every twenty-four months is highly recommended.
When replacing an old supply with a new one, the aged herbs still have several ways in which they can be utilized. They are often included in decorative settings and as a primary ingredient in most potpourri blends. If crumbled, they can be sprinkled along the bottom of a dresser drawer, or enclosed in a sachet, to keep garments smelling fresh.
One of the more common ways to utilize this herb is to add it to recipes that are meant to cook slowly over an extended period of time. Allowing the product to heat up in this manner releases the enhancing properties intermittently so that they are more completely mixed with the other ingredients. Adding this and certain spice combinations to beans, lentils, sauces, stocks, marinades, stews and soups can make for a tasty meal.
Steaming is also a highly effective way to cook with this herb. The moist heat permeates the product and infuses its flavors with that of everything else in the pot. It truly brings out the best qualities in such foods as fish, seafood, chicken and vegetables for a pleasurable culinary experience.
It is a bit important to remember that each leaf should be used either whole or halved, not crumbled. All the pieces should be removed before the dish is served. The reason for this is because although the herb provides much flavor throughout the cooking process, but eaten alone the taste is less than appetizing and could spoil the dining experience.
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