Category: Perth Gardening Jan
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Bay Leaf Tree: Grow and Eat
The humble Bay Leaf tree is a must have in a kitchen garden. Once you try fresh or freshly dried bay leaves in your cooking you won’t go back to the store bought version. Like many herbs, they lose their fullest, layer rich aroma and taste as they wait in transport and store shelves.
I normally use one or two small leaves fresh from the tree. I haven’t found them to be overpowering like some websites suggest.
I use them whole in stews, casseroles, curries, the list goes on. I always remove them post cooking (bouquet garni bags make this easier). They give the liquid in said dishes a earthy almost bitter tang. By itself this might not sound tasty but it works with the other ingredients to make a dish tastier than the sum of its parts.
I also recently got into bay leaf tea. It is a refreshing change despite it being reminiscant of a cup of mild green tea. It is like drinking the Aussie bush. 🙂
Dietary Info: Great for vegetarians, vegans and is gluten free.
This particular cooking ingredient is in PK’s Essential Pantry Cupboard Contents.
Enjoy,
PK
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
MORE RECIPES USING BAY LEAVES
THE FULL GICICI INGREDIENTS LIST
MORE VEGAN , VEGETARIAN , GLUTEN-FREE INGREDIENTS AND MEALS
GICICI’S WHAT’S GROWING IN PERTH?
Follow these links to see what to plant in a given month or read my monthly journal where I talk about what I am doing, have learned and have harvested.
JANUARY’S PLANTS OR PK’s Journal
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JUNE’S PLANTS OR PK’s Journal
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Australian Finger Limes
I was very lucky to be bought one of these remarkable edible bushes a few years ago as a birthday present. They are an annual fruiting plant in the same genus as citrus and are native to Australia’s east coast.
The fruit is quite simply unique and you can believe the recent restaurant hype they have attracted. 🙂
So how do we grow and eat Australian finger limes?
Taste/Aroma:
The long cylindrical fruit grows to about 6cm long and have a thickish green skin. These may turn brown as they ripen. Inside is the most amazing little globes filled with the most tangy juice you have ever eaten. These pop with a delightful crunch that makes you smile.
They smell and look amazing so I recommend you try them on their own or sprinkle the little globes over salads or cheese plates.
Flower:
Fruit:
Plant:
Planting/Care:
There is a school of thought that says these only fruit once every 2 years but I have had fruit every year on my 3 year old plant. I have had bumper crops and although it is April, I am still getting the odd fruit. If you are interested I keep monthly information Grow It Perth calendar (see link below).
It is in my standard soil profile which has organic matter, Perth sand and 10% clay by weight. I have fertilised with a standard vegetable raising fertiliser as opposed to a special native blend, with no problems. I also believe in several applications of wetta soil during spring, summer and autumn to encourage deep roots.
They can be hard to get in Perth so check your nurseries around January-February.
Enjoy,
PK
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
THE FULL GICICI INGREDIENTS LIST
GICICI’S WHAT TO GROW IN PERTH GUIDE
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