How to use laurel in the kitchen and beyond: from flavored oils to remedies for moths
Scented and aromatic, laurel can be used in many ways, inside and outside the kitchen: let’s see how to make the most of its many properties.
Laurel is one of the oldest and most widespread plants in the entire Mediterranean basin , a symbol of glory and wisdom, particularly linked to the history of the Greeks and Romans . Belonging to the Lauraceae family , Laurus nobilis boasts numerous beneficial properties : useful for stimulating digestion and fighting flu symptoms, laurel is also a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory . In and out of the kitchen, this fragrant and aromatic plant is widely used: to prepare digestive teas or to eliminate bad smells, to prepare tasty dishesor to keep food insects away, we can use the leaves in many different ways . Let’s see them all.
Herbal tea deflates the belly
Among the numerous properties, laurel is able to reduce intestinal gas and stimulate digestion: for this reason it is recommended in case of abdominal swelling and reflux. How to harness the power of this plant? With a delicious herbal tea : just let the water boil for a few minutes with some leaves (fresh or dried) and a lemon zest , then filter and serve while still hot.
Eliminate odors
With simple bay leaves we can make an effective and completely natural air freshener and odor remover for environments . Let’s take the leaves and let them boil for about ten minutes with some lemon zest, let the smell eliminate the bad smells of the kitchen, especially if we have prepared a fry. Alternatively, we can place dry leaves inside the refrigerator or on the radiators that are running: in both cases, after a few days, they will absorb bad odors and release a pleasant fresh aroma.
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Flavored oil
What if we exploited the scent and aroma of laurel to season our dishes? Preparing a delicious flavored oil is possible and, above all, very easy. Let’s take some bay leaves, a few sage leaves, a sprig of rosemary and a clove of garlic : let them “rest” in a jar with extra virgin olive oil for two or three days: once the necessary time has elapsed, we won’t have to do anything else. than to filter and store our oil.
Dishes and recipes
Laurel also finds ample space in gastronomy , in particular in some regional traditions. In Sicilian cuisine, thanks to its aroma and intense scent, laurel is widely used in fish- based dishes such as swordfish rolls or beccafico sardines . Added to sauces, gravies and broths , laurel is able to give a fragrant aftertaste, just like in the case of liqueur , a pungent and fresh digestive at the right point and very easy to prepare.
Remedy against food moths and butterflies
Laurel boasts repellent properties and is particularly useful if we want to combat food moths and butterflies in a natural way . To preserve flour, pasta and dry foods for a long time , just place bay leaves (dried or fresh) on the pantry shelves, its smell will keep unwanted guests away.
