Saturday, January 25, 2014

Preparing Dishes With The California Bay Leaf


by Grace Rivas


People who use the California Bay leaf admire its flavor. This spice has been known for its usefulness in preparing food for a number of years. It can be applied to many different dishes, both savory and sweet. Children and adults alike love the taste and look forward to it in a wide range of cold and hot desserts as well as main dishes. It is one of the most versatile natural spices available in the United States.

This spice is referred to using a wide range of names. People generally call it by the label that is used wherever they grew up or first encountered it. For example, in some communities chefs speak of it as pepper wood, perhaps as a reference to its spiciness. In other areas, many individuals know it as the Oregon Myrtle or CA Laurel.

These leaves are generally compared to those grown in the Mediterranean. Consumers who have used the type from outside of America sometimes find the latter initially overwhelming. It is powerful and you need a lot less to get the same flavor. However that means you actually save money since pound for pound, you get better value.

Some recipes utilize the Mediterranean variety, which are milder. When using CA laurel instead, cut the recommended quantity by fifty percent. You will find that the dish is tasty and you have more spice left to use in another recipe. When you bend and crush the leaves, that also releases more flavor in your soup or stew.

Usually, leaves from foreign farms are sold dried, while their North American cousins arrive fresh to groceries and homes. This dissimilarity may be caused by the distance exports must travel to reach the states. However in many homes there is nothing that compares to the flavor that is added to rich soups and stews by fresh CA laurel.

People who cook with this spice regularly usually purchase it by the pound. It is cheaper and they save money. They get quite a lot when they buy that. In fact, each pound contains between seven and eight hundred fresh leaves. These can be stored in your refrigerator. Once they are securely packaged in an airtight bag, they will last for months.

When you dry the California Bay leaf, as with most herbs and spices, it loses some of its flavor. However some chefs choose to do that because they want the seasoning to last longer. You can dehydrate them by using an oven or even hang them to air dry. The method you use depends on your space and what will be more convenient for you.

People who are seasoning poultry, pork or beef sometimes use the California Bay leaf as a spice in their dish. Make sure that whenever you make use of it, all the leaves are removed before you start serving. Always use them without cutting them up since the small pieces can be difficult to find. The flavor is good with tomatoes and other fruits or vegetables, such as beetroot.




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