Underused herb in cooking that adds depth of flavour and packed with vitamins

There’s one underrated herb that can instantly elevate any one of your favourite dishes, and proven to help with your overall health, as it’s packed full of vitamins and minerals

This ingredient will instantly add a burst of flavour to any dish(Image: Getty Images/IndiaPicture RF)

It’s a kitchen staple that’s often overlooked, yet this humble herb is a powerhouse of flavour that can instantly elevate your dishes.

Native to the Mediterranean, bay leaves have been used in cooking for centuries, and when dried, their fragrant oils are sealed in, ready to be released as they cook. While often underrated, they help enhance the flavour of other herbs, spices, and meats in any dish. Dried bay leaves have a mild, warm herbal flavour and a less bitter taste compared to fresh ones.

Their taste, often compared to oregano and thyme, pairs beautifully with warming spices like nutmeg and chilli flakes. Just like cinnamon sticks, bay leaves are meant to be added for depth, but not eaten, so be sure to remove them before serving.

Dried bay leaves have a mild, warm herbal flavour and a less bitter taste(Image: Getty Images)

Crushing or tearing a bay leaf releases its intense, flavour-packed oils, giving a quick burst of taste to your meal. They work wonders in long, slow-cooking dishes like stews and sauces, where their flavours can truly infuse the dish.

Add a few leaves to your stock as it heats for a twist on classic gravy, or crush them into marinades for grilled meat or poultry. For a surprising flavour boost in desserts, try adding a bay leaf to rice pudding for an unexpected depth.

A hearty beef stew is the perfect dish to infuse with bay leaves, and it’s a great option to cook up this Easter weekend. This recipe is quick and easy, and doesn’t take long to prepare. It’s described as a “traditional braised beef casserole with thick, rich gravy and chunky vegetables,” comfort food at its finest.

They can be used in a variety of dishes such as soups, stocks and risottos(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

First, take a flameproof casserole dish, bring together the thickly sliced celery sticks, chopped onion, large carrot slices, bay leaves, and a whole thyme sprig with a splash of vegetable oil and a dollop of butter.

Let the veg cosy up and soften, a ten-minute task. Then add plain flour until the dusty look disappears. You’ll than want to add the tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce and crumbled beef stock cube to the mix. Gradually blend in 600ml hot water, chuck in the stewing beef and let it all simmer lightly. Then pop a lid on your dish and whack it in the oven for two hours and 30 minutes.

Did you also know that bay leaves can do wonders for your health as it’s packed as they contain small amounts of many vitamins and minerals? The most prevalent include calcium, copper, Iron, magnesium, manganese, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and zinc.

They can also be a handy home remedy for an upset stomach when made into a tea. Not only that, but its strong aroma might help clear a stuffy nose or ease sinus pressure, according to the website WebMD. The publication also states that drinking bay leaf tea or taking it in capsule form could help lower blood sugar levels. You can easily get your hands on the herb without burning a hole through your pocket. It is sold in most supermarkets for £1, including Tesco and ASDA.

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