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Dried and Fresh Bay Leaves
Herbs are a very useful culinary aid. Most are easy to grow in pots outdoors in summer and indoors all year round. They look fresh and smell nice too.
In this article I would like to talk about Bay Leaves.
Bay leaves grow on Bay Laurel trees, which can be grown in a pot.
Image source: The Homestead Garden
Bay leaves contain vitamins A, C, and B-6, as well as calcium, iron and magnesium. However, they are not usually eaten as they ate often removed from the food once their flavour has leeched out. Some of these nutrients leech out too.
Bay Leaves are used to flavour many dishes but try this bay leaf recipe by Jo Pratt on BBC Food Recipes.
It's that is quick and easy to make:
Fragrant Pilau Rice
Serves 4
450g/1lb basmati rice
1 medium onion, finely chopped
large knob butter, plus extra to serve
4 cardamom pods
8 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
2 bay leaves
600 ml/1 pint hot chicken stock, vegetable stock or water
salt if you eat it
Wash the rice in cold water, then leave to soak for about 30 minutes in fresh cold water.
Cook the onion in the butter for around 5 minutes until softened.
Add the spices and bay leaves and cook for a couple more minutes.
Add the rice and stir until the grains are coated in the butter before stirring in the stock or water and salt.
Bring to the boil and then cover with a tight-fitting lid. If the lid isn't very tight, cover the pan with aluminium foil before putting the lid on.
Turn the heat down low and leave to cook for 10 minutes before turning off the heat. Don't remove the lid; just leave the rice to continue cooking in the pan for about 5 minutes until you're ready to serve.
The rice should have absorbed all the water and will just need fluffing up with a fork. Add a knob of butter before serving.
Enjoy!
Thank you for viewing!
Herbs - Delicious, Fresh and Smell Gorgeous! - Part 1 - Parsley
Herbs - Delicious, Fresh and Smell Gorgeous! - Part 2 - Oregano
Herbs - Delicious, Fresh and Smell Gorgeous! - Part 3 - Chives
Herbs - Delicious, Fresh and Smell Gorgeous! - Part 4 - Mint
Herbs - Delicious, Fresh and Smell Gorgeous! - Part 5 - Basil
Herbs - Delicious, Fresh and Smell Gorgeous! - Part 6 - Rosemary
Herbs - Delicious, Fresh and Smell Gorgeous! - Part 7 - Thyme