What to do with a glut of fresh bay leaves?

MummyD

DH and I have chopped down a bay tree that was in our garden this weekend. We didn't really want to do it but it was right next to the house and freaking DD out by tapping on her bedroom window at night! (Yes - it was a BIG bay tree).

Anyhoo - we now have about a million or so bay leaves to pick :eek: - I'll only keep the bestest darkest leaves but the question is - what to do with them.

My Dad suggested drying them in the oven but I wasn't sure, or can I freeze them fresh?

Help please!

Many thanks

Rx

Fruball

I've dried them in the airing cupboard before but I thought they lost flavour so I would wash then freeze them next time

caitybabes

I've got some dried bay leaves and they're v handy to use in casseroles, etc. so I would recommend drying them (although mine were bought pre-dried!)

meritaten

air dry them on the stalks - tie them in bunches and hang in a warm dark dry place. airing cupboard is ideal or even cool and dry place. or freeze them as picked leaves. second option probably best if have loads. then you can take them from the freezer and use as fresh.

Alison_Funnell

I'd dry loads and freeze a batch then you have the best of both worlds.

Mrs_Chip

Pick them off the stalk and gather them together in a pile (on top of each other iyswim) and put neatly into a paper bag. Put somewhere cool and dry, they will naturally dry out without curling up. Once dry they can be put into a jar or box. I do this twice a year, I use A LOT of bay as I love it, and I have not noticed any difference between fresh or dried.

If you left the stump/branches it should grow back, Bay is very vigorous, and if you keep it trimmed back will grow you lovely leaves very year.

MummyD

Thanks everyone! I shall probably dry some and freeze some fresh then!
We've left a stump but want to keep it under control now as it is very close to the house!
Rx

bupster

You can't use these fresh, they *have* to be dried. If I were you, I'd dry the lot, then barter with your friends and neighbours - they're insanely expensive in the shops. Or give them away in freecycle and make lots of new friends!

WhiteHorse

bupster wrote: »

they're insanely expensive in the shops.

Go to Asian stores - they have bayleaves at a fifth of the supermarket price.

angeltreats

bupster wrote: »

You can't use these fresh, they *have* to be dried. If I were you, I'd dry the lot, then barter with your friends and neighbours - they're insanely expensive in the shops. Or give them away in freecycle and make lots of new friends!

Sorry but not true. I've been using fresh bay leaves for years! I've heard that they can be a bit bitter if used fresh but I've never found that.

Unfortunately I keep kiling bay trees, I lost two last winter to the frost, and I don't know anyone who has one to take cuttings from.

bupster

Really? Cool! I pinch them off ornamental trees near work, rinse them and hang them in the kitchen, but it sort of depends on me remembering to pinch them and nobody looking! Will be handy if I don't have to dry them first though