Haha this has been in my mind lately so I was excited when I saw there was a thread about it - which I don't remember we starting.
That was a good Awl piece and it linked to this http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/03/ask-the-food-lab-whats-the-point-of-bay-leaves.html.
I guess I'm a believer, but I'm going to try steeping a bay leaf in hot water asap.
― Je55e, Wednesday, 23 March 2016 13:43 (eight years ago) link
I made a pot of vegetable soup this past winter and forgot the bay leaves, and extended it with more of the same ingredients + 4-5 bay leaves -- very noticeable bay flavor. They're so cheap at my Atlanta source (1/2 gallon bag packed full for about a buck) that I can go as heavy as I like.
― Yoshimi P-We's Playhouse (WilliamC), Wednesday, 23 March 2016 14:02 (eight years ago) link
They're so much cheaper at the fancy bulk spice shops than at grocery stores! A jar of a dozen or so McCormick's bay leaves are priced at about $5, but about the same quantity weighed .10 lb and cost me $.26 at the spice store.
― Je55e, Wednesday, 23 March 2016 18:38 (eight years ago) link
Wait no - .10 OUNCE, not pound.