Do I Cook The Bay Leaves In The Chicken Shawarma?

Our answer

Nigella's Oven-Cooked Chicken Shawarma (from SIMPLY NIGELLA) takes inspiration from the flavour and spicing of the traditional spit-cooked chicken. The marinade includes several spices and whole bay leaves (fresh or dried).

The bay leaves impart flavour in the marinade and the recipe suggests that all of the marinade (incuding the bay leaf) is tipped into the roasting pan. It can make quite a nice garnish for the dish, as you can see in the photograph. If you are worried about the bay leaf catching in the oven then just make sure it is sitting on the bottom of the pan, where it will be more protected. However, if you are concerned then you can always remove the bay leaf and throw it away. Don't use the bay leaf for garnish if it has not been cooked.