FOOD NEWS
When Using Bay Leaves, Should You Grind Them Into Powder?
By Grace Allison
Dried whole bay leaves have a subtle flavor and gently infuse herbal and floral undertones into dishes, but their presence is much more pronounced when ground into a powder.
You can grind dried bay leaves at home or purchase them pre-ground. However, whether you should grind them is entirely up to your taste buds and flavor preferences.
The profile of a bay leaf is softened as it cooks in hot liquids, like stews or sauces. Once a bay leaf is ground, its pungent flavor is even more accentuated.
Use ground bay leaves lightly and sparingly if you're planning to use them in a recipe, as they will permeate and infuse every part of the dish with more of this defined flavor.
Ground, dried bay leaf is an under-appreciated addition to rubs, aromatic dishes, or spice mixes. You can replace one bay leaf in a recipe with ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon of the ground herb.
Grinding bay leaves at home can be difficult since they're so stiff and rigid. Use a spice grinder to grind them into a fine powder to avoid a grainy texture.