Eating from your yard tip ~ I had used lavender to induce sleep, relieve headaches and for it’s anti~bacterial properties, but the first time I remember eating lavender was a lavender chocolate truffle. When I asked about how it was made she referred to lavender flower, but English is tricky and I was born blonde so I heard lavender flour. When I asked where you get lavender flour she looked at me like I had lost my mind, which I clearly had. The secret to cooking with lavender, I have since learned, is to put the lavender flower into a coffee grinder to make a fine powder. Then it is a lovely addition to brownies, scones, short bread, sugar cookies, pound cake or frosting. It is important to note that less is more when it comes to cooking with lavender, so add it sparingly. Lavender mixed into butter with a little honey on a warm scone will clearly be served in heaven. There is of course lavender syrup to add to desserts and drinks. I made a killer elderberry jelly with lavender steeped in with the elderberries. Lavender goes really well with citrus especially lemon (e.g. lemon frosting or pound cake) lavender lemonade is a popular drink, but I prefer lavender infused water. Just add a bundle of lavender flowers to a pitcher of water and let it sit in refrigerator for a day or two. You can also infuse vodka or gin by adding the lavender flowers to the alcohol of your choice, then letting it sit for 4-6 weeks. Iced lavender infused water or alcohol are perfect drinks at a summer outdoor concert. I am a huge fan of warm chamomile lavender tea. Another yummy lavender drink is hot chocolate with a little lavender and chilli pepper. Lavender is a nice balance to the sweet heat in chutney, bruschetta, BBQ sauce or lavender ginger sauce. There are recipes that use lavender with eggs and meats~ perhaps they are fabulous, but they seem like just adding lavender to add lavender. There are plenty of other uses for lavender in soaps, lotions, bug spray, and salves. How do you eat lavender?
PS – Growing Tip~plant lavender high and dry. I had the best luck in a raised bed against the south side of my house that had an overhang covering it. Many lavender growers have left the Great Plains because this is not a hospitable lavender growing environment. I’ve had the best luck with grosso lavender, but it is tricky to find.
PPS – After you remove the flowers from the stem, bundle the stems to make fire starter hostess gifts.
– Jill Kuhel
