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.