Bay leaves contain several different fatty acids which, when cooked, are transferred into your food. Fatty acids have a large effect on the flavour and nutrition of food. Next time to cook plain rice, add a few bay leaves to the pot and you will notice the change in flavour.
Yeah cloves and bay leaves are pretty common in old recipes. For example check out
https://blogs.transparent.com/dutch/recipe-the-oldest-dish-in-the-netherlands/
That recipe should come out like this https://miljuschka.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Frietje-zuurvlees-Daphne-Dekkers.jpg
Providing links to solidify the existence of two of them…
Cloves can do a thing if used right. Bay leaves, on the other hand, you cannot convince me add anything to anything.
https://www.theawl.com/2016/03/the-vast-bay-leaf-conspiracy/
je ne sais quoi is what one of the “chefs” said it adds.
Do you know what that means? Do you? It directly translates as ’ I don’t know what ’ Bay leaves are bullshit
Bay leaves contain several different fatty acids which, when cooked, are transferred into your food. Fatty acids have a large effect on the flavour and nutrition of food. Next time to cook plain rice, add a few bay leaves to the pot and you will notice the change in flavour.
Also not many soups I don’t add bay leaves to.