What do bay leaves do to a dish?

Answer 1

They are usually added to soups or broths to give this flavor that you wouldn't think is there, also try cardamom seeds in soups or broths, does the same as bay leaves-REALLY good!!

Answer 2

(L)
General Description
Bay Leaves come from the sweet bay or laurel tree, known botanically as Laurus nobilis. The elliptical leaves of both trees are green, glossy, and grow up to 3 inches long. Bay Leaves, a staple in American kitchens, are used in soups, stews, meat and vegetable dishes. The leaves also flavor classic French dishes such as bouillabaise and bouillon. Bay Leaves are pungent and have a sharp, bitter taste.The Bay Leaf is useful in hearty, homestyle cooking. When you are making bean, split pea and vegetable soups, meat stews, spaghetti sauce, and chili, a Bay leaf can be added for a more pungent flavor. Alternate whole Bay Leaves with meat, seafood, or vegetables on skewers before cooking. Be sure to remove Bay Leaves before eating a dish that has finished cooking. The whole leaves are used to impart flavor only and are bitter and hard to chew.

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Answer 3

They add a pungeant flavor to dishes and some say adds healthful benefits. I personally cannot taste the difference in chicken broth and stews with or without bay leaf.

http://everything2.com/index.pl?node=bay%20leaf

Answer 4

Same thing as Basil or oregano. The flavor is earthy, very mld with a hint of Licorice.

Also called Laurel leaves

Answer 5

They add flavor, but do not eat the bay leaf. Remove it after you finish cooking.

Answer 6

it give it a seasoning taste but its really no big deal to use them people put them in soups and stuff

Answer 7

Make it taste completely disgusting.

Answer 8

They add flavor.