Although fresh leaves are becoming more widely available, they are usually sold dried. The dried bay leaves are more strongly flavoured than fresh ones, but the uses for both are the same.

The following are suggested herb blends. (Assume equal parts unless specified.) Bay leaf, 2 parts parsley, thyme. The herbs may be wrapped in cheesecloth or the parsley wrapped around the thyme and ...

This simple but powerful herb is useful in plenty of other dishes as well, like perfectly seasoning canned black beans.