Meal Plan Monday Spices/Herbs

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This is the BIG BOARD 

My brain on the wall.

Tomorrow I have to have an unexpected oral surgery and will not be able to eat solid food for a week.

It will be protein shakes for meals.

My sweet boy had a hard day of terra nova testing

The freezer being shut of by accident this week end left me baking a ham yesterday and a turkey first thing this morning

Morning harvest

NOTHING like a home grown carrot!

The kids left Makotoo and Bear at home with grandma. (me)

This is the sweetest thing innocence yet lingers and I love it.

Turkey carcass for soup this week.

Herb/Spice of the Week

Bay Leaves

This herb comes from the European laurel, whose dark green, shiny leaves are dried before use as an almost indispensable seasoning. Some color is lost in the drying process, but the greenest leaves are best. Bay leaves grown in California have the most powerful flavor and should not be used in excess. 

When a recipe calls for a bouquet garni, a bay leaf will always be a part of the flavor blend. This is a combination of herbs tied together with a string or put into a cotton bag and used to flavor many soups, sauces, meat or fish dishes. This gets discarded before the dish is served. 

Some herbs, such as bay leaves, are used as a decoration for properly served dishes. Try one on top of meatloaf!

Another great use that is an old favorite of this organic woman 

Place bay leave in the pantry and under the kitchen sink, bathroom sinks and behind the washer to repel roaches and silver fish they hate it! Remember once a year to replace them.

This is a ham shank for ham and beans

Sliced lunch meat for the week.

The thick slices (in another container to be used to make meals.
Yes I am tired but content.
A little scared about tomorrow.