https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:01:42 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405555 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 09:48:46 +0000 LCTBQE 2405555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: gonna try buying a fresh pack and using double the amount called for! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405536 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 09:45:13 +0000 MoonMoon 2405536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, but we always make sure the bay leaves are fresh and fragrant, and use 2 or 3 per recipe. They're so distinct! We go through a baggie every other month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405530 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 09:41:21 +0000 LCTBQE 2405530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mfa_lady: ha, thanks! sadly, my cuss word was castrated by the moderator. </p> <p>Guys, the poll is split so evenly! Looks like several people are pointing out that fresh leaves really do make a difference; I guess once they're old and stale they don't do much. I've been replacing mine about once a year, maybe I just need to find someone's mom who has a tree (in NYC). Thanks for the replies, everyone :happy: </p> <p>@Nutella: you're a natural wonder :wink:<br /> @Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I've never even heard of using them fresh! Cool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405492 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 09:20:21 +0000 mediagirl 2405492@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Litebrite: the bay leaf scavenger hunt! That was awesome. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405419 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 08:41:09 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2405419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you can't tell the difference, do you think maybe your jar is expired? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405348 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 06:55:51 +0000 BSB 2405348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do a lot of things because that's what the recipe says. I've never done a side by side taste test. I figure if I have the ingredients I might as well us it, since I'm not no chef. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405340 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 06:17:28 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2405340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always put double or triple the amount of dried Bay leaves if a recipe calls for them just to make sure I get the flavor.</p> <p>After trying Bay leaves fresh in caprese salads I say they are necessary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405324 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 04:36:15 +0000 Cherrybee 2405324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I cant tell any difference but my MIL is an amazing cook and she still uses them after all these years so they must do something! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405319 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 03:47:52 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2405319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I've noticed a difference. It adds complexity to a savory dish. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405290 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 00:58:40 +0000 Corduroy 2405290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think they add flavor and complexity. And there's the fun of eating around them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405285 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 00:41:09 +0000 LindsayLou 2405285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think they make a difference, but I do think they lose their flavor over time. My parents have a huge bay tree in their yard, so I always grab a handful when I visit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405279 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 00:28:34 +0000 Finfan 2405279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oops wrong thread </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405278 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 00:27:35 +0000 OldpuebloJenn 2405278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a bay tree in my yard, so even though we dry the leaves before we use them, they totally make a difference! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405273 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 00:15:00 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2405273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One time I licked the sauce off one and holy cow the flavor was intense! So I decided they probably do something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405268 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 00:10:12 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2405268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always add them when indicated. So I don't know what it would be like without them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405267 Thu, 31 Dec 2015 00:08:43 +0000 HLK208 2405267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't feel like they make a big difference when I add them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405264 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 23:49:39 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2405264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Nutella: Hahahah I just lost it reading your post omg 😂😂😂</p> <p>I hate fishing them out too, I can't stand the taste of a raw leaf lol. But I suppose I've never really noticed? I guess they have a subtle enough taste that they lend something to the flavor, but I likely wouldn't miss it if it was not there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405247 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 23:15:47 +0000 ms.line 2405247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405245 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 23:12:06 +0000 pregnantbee 2405245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Haha. I just used them tonight in stew. I've always wondered if they actually make a difference. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405243 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 23:08:13 +0000 pastemoo 2405243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: I love them in chili. If they are old they lose flavor </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405237 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 22:59:37 +0000 twodoghouse 2405237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ain't nobody got time for fishing out shredded pieces of bay leaves in my house. My mom swears they make everything better, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405236 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 22:55:24 +0000 Nutella 2405236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I added them to curries for ages thinking they were curry leaves 😂 Didn't make much of a difference! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405232 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 22:50:52 +0000 Litebrite 2405232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think they make a subtle difference. Worth using if you have them, plus it's fun to play the Bay Leaf Scavenger Hunt when it's time to eat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405227 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 22:46:16 +0000 mfa_lady 2405227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always put them in but haven't really tried stuff without. I do, however, feel the need to say that this is the BEST topic title I've ever seen. :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405224 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 22:43:15 +0000 matador84 2405224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always put them in spaghetti sauce, but that's about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405216 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 22:33:35 +0000 Crystal 2405216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never thought about leaving them out... I'd be curious to do a side by side taste test! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405177 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 22:01:40 +0000 blackbird 2405177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I notice when I can't put them in things like chicken soup </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-bay-leaves-bullshit#post-2405173 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 21:58:06 +0000 LCTBQE 2405173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This isn't terribly urgent, just wondering what all the good cooks on HB think. I made soup tonight and for the millionth time am wondering why I bother using bay leaves when I have never been able to tell a difference with or without them. </p>