MostlyWater
Sous Chef
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2008
- Messages
- 997
I saw fresh bay leaves in the store today; I always keep dried ones at home for soups. Does anyone prefer this fresh to dried? Thanks.
I only use fresh because that's what's growing next to the rosemary bush at my back door. I do toss a few of the fresh into the back of my cupboards and they dry out but I only do that because my mother-in-law insisted it keeps the bugs away. So far, she's right.
Thanks, I will keep it mind, though who knows when I will get to Portsmouth again.I have a bay tree, too. Here, it winters over outdoors. It's about 20 feet tall. I usually use dry because it's more convenient - I have them in a large decorative jar on the kitchen counter. As Hoot said, the fresh ones have more flavor because the water in them has not evaporated, but I find there's not much difference in the finished dish. I think it's just this year's food fad
Hoot, if you ever come to Portsmouth, I'll give you a branch
I have a bay tree, too. Here, it winters over outdoors. It's about 20 feet tall. I usually use dry because it's more convenient - I have them in a large decorative jar on the kitchen counter. As Hoot said, the fresh ones have more flavor because the water in them has not evaporated, but I find there's not much difference in the finished dish. I think it's just this year's food fad
Hoot, if you ever come to Portsmouth, I'll give you a branch
I have found fresh California Bay leaves to be bitter sometimes. But I'd use for sure if I had my own tree!
I usually use dried Turkish ones.
I only use fresh because that's what's growing next to the rosemary bush at my back door. I do toss a few of the fresh into the back of my cupboards and they dry out but I only do that because my mother-in-law insisted it keeps the bugs away. So far, she's right.
My daughters ex boyfriend had a bay tree also. But he told me it was an evergreen?
We are in the south, but we do have winter.
It's never been about keeping bugs out of the flour. The bugs are already in the flour from the mill. Bug eggs get into the flour at the mill because they are too small for the filters.
Save the bay leaves for your recipes. If you want to kill the critters, put your bags of flour in the freezer for three days and they will be "permanently deactivated".
Yes, it's an evergreen and yes, we do have winter. If there's another question here, I'm not getting it. Sorry, I've been sick for what feels like forever.
I was not certain regarding the words "winter over".
I thought you meant it dropped its leaves.
Do you still use the leaves that turn brown during winter? Do they turn brown?
Or do you remove those leaves in the spring and allow new ones to grow? You did say it was a tall tree.
Hope you get feeling better real soon!