home


Search Organic Gardening:


    Forums  Hop To Forum Categories  Recipe Exchange    cooking with lavender
Go
New
Find
Notify
Tools
Reply
  
-star Rating Rate It!  Login/Join 
Posted
I have several lovely clumps of lavender in my garden, and they've mostly just finished flowering. I collected some of the buds and made syrup and sugar with them, but I'm wondering if I can also cook with the lavender leaves. It would be convenient since those stay around all summer and into fall.... Has anyone cooked with the green leaves? Is there a reason not to? Thanks!


Save Our Plants: Eat Them!
http://beckyandthebeanstock.com/
 
Posts: 49 | Location: St. Louis, Missouri | Registered: February 09, 2008Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Picture of Matt-choo
Posted Hide Post
Yes, you can use the leaves but they tend to be much stronger in flavor. I wouldn't use them for desserts or sweet recipes that call for lavender, but you could mix the leaves with other herbs for an Herbes de Provence blend for savory Provençal dishes.

Lavender lends itself to savory dishes, from hearty stews to wine-reduced sauces. Lavender can also be substituted for rosemary in many bread recipes. The spikes and leaves can be used in most dishes in place of rosemary in most recipes. Use the spikes or stems for making fruit or shrimp kabobs. Just place your favorite fruit on the stems and grill.

You can also infuse the flowers in milk or cream (heat gently - don't boil - then strain) - makes a wonderful flavored ice cream, creme brulee, or other dairy-based dessert.

Also, from this site :
quote:
Lavender lends a lovely note to savory as well as sweet dishes. However take care that the fragrance dose not overwhelm the recipe.

Do not let meats marinate with lavender for longer than 48 hours. The interaction of the lavender with the fat will yield a soapy, disagreeable flavor.

Lavender has a natural affinity for red meat, game and game birds; for rich flavorful fish and crustaceans; and for red and black fruits such as blackberries, currants and plums.

English & sweet lavender can be used in flavoring desserts such as ice cream, sorbets, and baked dishes.

French lavender is too strong for most breads and desserts but can be used for grilling red meats or hearty herb breads.

Spanish lavender should not be used in sweet dishes and use only the foliage in cooked or grilled dishes.

Spike lavender should not be used in desserts or breads but the foliage can be used in grilling of meats.
 
Posts: 904 | Location: Zone 7 - Charlotte, NC | Registered: March 28, 2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Posted Hide Post
I've also used the dried flower buds to make a nice Lavender Iced Tea.

Using my "Mister Coffee" Iced Tea Maker, I just sprinkle the flower buds over my regular black tea in the lined filter cup.

Makes a lovely iced tea for the summer.
 
Posts: 759 | Location: Culpeper, VA - Zone 6/7 | Registered: June 18, 2008Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
 Previous Topic | Next Topic powered by eve community  
 

    Forums  Hop To Forum Categories  Recipe Exchange    cooking with lavender

 


© 2005 Rodale Inc.