[french fries]

I think that like most herbs, the flavor profile changes a bit between fresh and dried. I have a bay leaf tree in my backyard so I use fresh all the time, I generally prefer it. I do however, on occasions, dry a leaf or two, then turn it into powder to use as a spice for example to marinate pork cubes for Spanish style pinchos. 

 

[french fries]

I would use as much as I can while still fresh.

I would freeze some right away, for example in a zip lock, to use in soups, stews and braises (I've actually never done this but I can't imagine why it wouldn't work).

I would dry some slowly in the oven and conserve them in a tin box.

 

[french fries]

BTW, I keep thinking about growing a bay tree/bush but never got around to seeing if it is even feasible where I live.

I'm in L.A. like you: my bay leaf tree grows so fast I have to trim it once or twice a month. And I never water it.

 

[french fries]

Will be checking out the local nursery. Apparently the will grow even in the hot part of LA where I live. Water, that's all it will take!

Not even water (other than whatever water it can find on its own). I live in NoHo, which is pretty darn hot. I never water my bay leaf tree, there are no sprinklers anywhere near it, and it's thriving.

 

[french fries]

That's great to hear! I'm thinking about pot cultivation. Mostly to control size. Do you think that is a wise idea?

I suppose so but honestly I wouldn't be the right person to ask, I rarely grow things in pots (except for seedlings). But I do believe that limiting the size of the roots will limit the size of the tree.

Otherwise, just plant it outside and get one of these...:

pACE3-12342352enh-z8.jpg

• french fries
• Mar 26, 2016

 

[french fries]

Is it a 1:1 substitution when using fresh rather than dried?

I'm not sure. Fresh is pretty potent. I often taste my braises after a while and if I find the bay leaf taste is already very present after a while (sometimes after only 20mn for example), I'll remove the leaf(s). I think I would start with less fresh (than dried), taste and correct.