To Dry or Not to Dry?

[SpanRmonky]

Hi all,

Do I need to dry the leaves on my Bay tree before cooking or can I just lob them in straight from the tree?

Cheers

[Capsid]

I lob 'em straight in (with a rinse under the tap first).

[Nicos]

me too...but you'll find you may need to add a few more to get the sme flavour.

[rana]

IMO They are much better fresh

[TonyF]

Chuck them in fresh, drying is only for storage during the winter, if you have fresh, use fresh.

Give them a twist to 'tear' them before you put them in, releases more of the oils and flavour.

[Flummery]

I'm a lobber-inner too! I love them!

[amandaandherveg]

My little stick doesn't have enough leaves on it for me to be a 'Lobber-Inner', but I would if I could.

[SpanRmonky]

Cheers all, thanks for that!

Keep on lobbing!

[Colin Mudd]

Good evening...

The fresher the leaves the better...there is an oil (the name of which I have forgotten)in the leaves that imparts the flavour...hence fresh is best....dried is ok ...just wash and use !!!

Best wishes

Colin

[divvy]

I use them straight from the tree , but dry some for the winter when you don't want to go out in the cold to pick them .

[Davdandy]

I always just lob them in.

But i was thinking about bay a while ago and always use it if the recipes ask for it,but doesn't it actually do anything to the flavour of dishes.Personally i cant tell the difference with or without it.Hmmmm.