Historic Roman emperors and heroes had been frequently depicted with a wreath of leaves in a half circlet about the leading of their head.
This wreath of laurels was a signal of knowledge or achievements. The observe hails back again to the Greek story of the deity Apollo and the dryad Daphne, daughter of Peneus, a different deity.
Following upsetting Eros, also acknowledged as Cupid, the deity of enjoy “cursed” Apollo by shooting him with an arrow to make him enamored with Daphne. Not satisfied with his handiwork, Eros also shot Daphne, but with a lead arrow that ensured Daphne would never ever fall for Apollo.
In the face of his undesirable attention, Daphne fled Apollo to the river Ladon. Apollo was in near pursuit. Daphne beseeched her father, Peneus, to conserve her, and he responded by turning her into a laurel tree. Apollo turned sad to uncover her transformed. Daphne, owning pity on him, dropped upon his head a wreath of her leaves. He held the wreath as a reminder of the prize he could hardly ever earn.
Laurel wreaths grew to become a symbol of the emperor. In addition, the leafy crown became a vaunted prize in contests in between poets and athletes, akin to Olympic medals through the historical Olympic online games. They ended up deemed a signal of wisdom, intelligence and accomplishments and a recognition of a person’s worthiness.
Many thanks to the honor of this prize, individuals who operate really hard more than enough to be viewed as worthy of relaxation are explained to “relaxation on their laurels.” People who wore laurel wreaths had proven on their own.
Around this very same time, Greeks employed laurel in cooking. The berries, or nuts, of the laurel ended up dried and utilised as a seasoning. Most kitchens would not have this spice on hand, but virtually each and every effectively-stocked kitchen will have a limited jar of dried leaves. This spice is known as the “bay laurel” or simply “bay leaf.”
It’s tricky to pinpoint what bay leaves do for a recipe. Some problem irrespective of whether they do everything at all, but test cooking white rice in two batches, a person with bay leaves and a single with no. You will pretty much unquestionably recognize you will find something diverse. You may possibly not be in a position to explain it, but it really is there.
Some gourmands describe the extra taste as mildly minty, peppery, resinous like pine and even a contact bitter. Like some other elements, the bay leaf humbly elevates the taste of other elements in a way that you are by no means as well certain if it’s carrying out anything at all at all.
But seasoned cooks know it is just wise to hardly ever fail to remember the bay leaf, like a winner.
- 1/4 pound diced, fatty bacon
- 1 medium onion or two shallots, chopped
- 3 tablespoons lard
- 1 1/2- to 1 2/3-pound venison roast, cubed
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato puree
- 1 teaspoon floor black pepper
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1/4 pound mushrooms, full or cut to the sizing of grapes
- 1 cup crimson wine
- 1 2/3 cups venison, beef or vegetable stock
- 2 teaspoons juniper berries
- 4 bay leaves (or 2 refreshing)
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
In a soup pot in excess of medium warmth, saute the bacon and onions in the lard gently, until finally the onions have begun to switch clear. Take away the bacon and onions but depart the oils.
Include the venison to the pot a minor at a time. Let one particular facet to brown, then convert the venison. Endeavor to brown all sides. The moment done, stir in the garlic, puree and pepper. Subsequent, sprinkle the flour in excess of the mixture and stir. Return the bacon and onions, then incorporate the mushrooms. If you are utilizing extra delicate mushrooms, hold out to insert them until finally just after you have included the stock and wine to reduce them breaking aside in the thicker paste.
Insert the pink wine, stock, juniper berries, bay leaves and thyme. Provide the stew to a simmer and protect. Proceed to simmer, included, for about 1 1/2 hours.
At this issue, examine the thickness of the broth. If it is the ideal thickness, take out the bay leaves and any herb stalks, and year with salt to taste.
I like this created into miniature pot pies. It could also be baked into one big pot pie utilizing common pie crust.
Modified from deliciousmagazine.co.british isles
- About 2 kilos of tiny, waxy potatoes
- 6 tablespoons mayonnaise (or 4 tablespoons olive oil)
- 6 refreshing bay leaves, torn if also substantial
- Salt and pepper to flavor
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Area all potatoes in a significant bowl and put 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise or olive oil around the potatoes. Blend the potatoes till they are all coated. The mayo will most likely stick greater to the potatoes although furnishing a very neutral flavor.
Position the potatoes on a substantial baking tin that is both coated in nonstick spray or lined with nonstick baking paper. Roast for 30-40 minutes or right until tender.
Use a masher, substantial mug or similar software to flatten every potato when clean from the oven. They never have to have to be slender, but they should really crack open. Add the bay leaves and dollop the remaining mayo about the potatoes. Sprinkle salt and pepper to style and return the potatoes to the oven for 20 minutes.
Toss the potatoes when extra and roast for 10 additional minutes, or until finally they turn out to be crisp and golden around the edges.
Travis Grimler is a team author for the Pineandlakes Echo Journal weekly newspaper in Pequot Lakes/Pine River. He could be arrived at at 218-855-5853 or [email protected]