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Asked by: Livioara Morancho
food and drink barbecues and grillingIs bay leaf and basil leaves the same thing?
Likewise, what can u use in place of bay leaves?
Substitutions for Bay Leaves Substitute 1/4 tsp. dried thyme or oregano, for each bay leaf or 1/4 tsp. crushed bay leaf called for in the recipe. Have dried bay leaves, when your recipe calls for crushed, or fresh bay leaves when your recipe calls for dried?
Also, can I substitute basil for bay leaves?
The minty and mild woodsy flavor of dried basil makes it an acceptable substitute for bay leaf. Similarly, bay leaves can be a good replacement for dried basil in soups, stews and other braised applications but cannot be used in place of fresh basil for pestos and salads.
The two trees look remarkably similar; both are evergreens with similar leaves, although California bay's leaves are a bit longer. Neither will emit much of an aroma unless crushed and even then they smell comparable, although California bay has a more intense aroma.