Bay, Laurel, Sweet Bay, True Laurel

The Bay Tree is most commonly used in flavoring foods such as soups, stews, fish, meats and custards.  Bay may be grown all year round, however it is best in the Northern Country to Winter this delicate evergreen inside.

Just a little history about Bay, Laurel.....

• It is said that in the Bible the Sweet Bay is often a symbol of fame and prosperity.
• In Christianity Bay symbolizes the Resurrection of Christ and the triumph of humanity.
• The Bay Tree was considered sacred to Apollo the Greek God of prophecy, poetry, and healing.
• This ancient evergreen was also respected in Roman Times.  The Bay wreath was considered a mark of excellence for both poets and athletes.  It was also considered a symbol of wisdom and glory.

Bay Leaf Medicinal Properties

Expectorant

Anti-Spasmodic

Stimulant

Analgesic

Treats Headaches

Soothes Toothaches

Bay Leaf Recipes

Potted Brisket

4lb. beef brisket          8 peppercorns

1 large onion               1 bay leaf 

1 clove garlic               2 cloves

3 c. boiling water         1/4 tsp. allspice

1 carrot, sliced             3 tsp. salt

3 sprigs parsley            1/4 tsp. black pepper

1/4 c. vinegar

Cut fat from brisket and fry out fat in Dutch oven.  Add sliced onion and garlic to fat until onion is transparent.  Remove from fat and save.  Brown brisket in Dutch oven on all sides.  Add water, vinegar, carrot, parsley, spices, seasoning, onion and garlic.  Cover tightly and simmer 3 hours.  Remove brisket from Dutch oven; thicken liquid left in Dutch oven for gravy.

Rhode Island Clam Chowder

3 large New England potatoes, diced and parboiled

1 medium Spanish onion, chopped

12 quahogs

4 crushed black peppercorns

1 tsp. fresh thyme

1 bay leaf

1 tsps. fresh rosemary, chopped

1 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped

3 pints water

3 oz. butter or soaked salt pork

Cook the potatoes and if using salt pork, place it in a saute pan over low heat to render the fat.  Saute the chopped onions in the pork fat or butter until soft.  Meanwhile steam the quahogs in water until they open.  Save the juice and allow the clams to cool before chopping them.  Add the herbs, spices, reserved clam juice, chopped clams and cooked potatoes to the onions and cook until the potatoes are soft and the the flavors are blended.

Chai Spice Tea

 For best results, use whole or broken spices, not ground!

Allspice, cracked

Black pepper, cracked HOT!

Cardamon, hulled

Cinnamon

Cloves

Coriander seed

Ginger HOT!

Mace and Nutmeg

Star anise

Fennel

Bay leaf

Vanilla bean (American addition, ala Oregon chai)

Garam marsala (Rajah brand is best) or Chinese five spice powder can be mixed half and half with cardamon for a quickie shortcut chai spice. It tends to be hot-flavored.

Potpourri Recipe Using Bay Leaf:

Soul Soother

2 ounces Rose Petals