Herb

Bay Leaf – Aromatic Herb

Bay Leaves
Photo by JMorton

A bay tree is an evergreen tree, thank God for that as bay trees provide the bay leaves or laurel necessary for many a recipe.

Bay leaves may be used fresh or dried.

The dried variety, which is what is usually available already package in most supermarkets, has a stronger flavour.

Bay leaves are used in stews, particularly when cooking mechados.

In ancient times, the bay leaves were threaded together to make a laurel wreathes to crown outstanding poets and victorious soldiers.  Many busts of ancient heroic men particularly the Romans and Greeks had a wreath of laurel on their head/forehead.