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Can I use Bay Leaves from my garden?

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  • 23-12-2011 12:09pm
    #1
    Lemmewinks
    Site Banned Posts: 67 ✭✭


    Hi - I can't find Bay Leaves in any shops; but I have these plants in my garden. See attached photos - would they be okay to use for cooking my Xmas ham?

    Thanks in advance!


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    #2
    Alun
    Registered Users Posts: 21,470 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    They look like bay trees (laurus nobilis) to me, so yes. Take off a leaf and scrunch it in your hand, and you'll get that unmistakable bay leaf aroma.


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    #3
    trackguy
    Registered Users Posts: 1,246 ✭✭✭trackguy


    And these will be much more aromatic than shop-bought!


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    #4
    kylith
    Registered Users Posts: 17,736 ✭✭✭✭kylith


    Yes, you can. I use mine all the time.


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    #5
    Lemmewinks
    Site Banned Posts: 67 ✭✭Lemmewinks


    Great - thanks for the replies!

    I snipped 4 of them, and put them in a jar to dry off in the hot press!


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    #6
    Alun
    Registered Users Posts: 21,470 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    Lemmewinks wrote: »
    Great - thanks for the replies!

    I snipped 4 of them, and put them in a jar to dry off in the hot press!
    No need to dry them, just use them fresh from the tree. Crush them lightly in your hand before putting them into the dish you're preparing to help release the aromatic oils. They're stronger than dries ones, so you may find you only need one fresh leaf as opposed to two dried ones though.


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