"Wanda" wrote in message
...
Actually it's little more than a seedling, it's about 5cm high dwarfed
by a
large glazed blue pot ... Is it necessary to dry bayleaves out before
using
them in cooking? What's the best method of drying them out? My
stepmother
used to dry flowers by tying a bundle of flower stems at their base &
hanging them upside down in the converted garage or I used to have a
housemate who would dry his home grown mull on alfoil in the oven...



No it's not necessary but the flavour will be slightly different if
fresh. Try both and see what you prefer. To keep the leaves for any
length of time drying or freezing is required.

The best way to dry them is to cut suitable small branches or twigs with
leaves etc and hang them up in bunches in the shade tied with string
where there is good air circulation.

Drying in the oven isn't really required and is quite likely to over-dry
to the point where the leaves fall apart and lose flavour unless you
keep the temperature down and watch them closely. Air drying is safer
and simpler.

David