Lavender in the Kitchen
On the Menu Today~
Lavender in the Kitchen
Lavender is historically known as the "herb of love," lavender is a relative of mint.
This aromatic plant has violet flowers and green or pale gray leaves both of which
add a pleasant pungency to salad, rubs for poultry and fish,
and in spice blends, such as herbs de provence. The leaves can also be used to
make tea. You can find culinary lavender in natural food stores and
in some produce sections of larger grocery store.
The Largest Lavender Farm,
in the Midwest, calls Washington Island,
located in Door County WI, home.
Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm and Shop currently has over 16,000 plants and 48
different varieties of lavender growing, including white and pink lavender. More than
5,000 people come for the lavender festival alone in late July.
Ingredients
Ingredients
Lavender Syrup
Ingredients
Lavender Butter
Ingredients
Lavender Sugar
Ingredients
Lavender, Syrup, Butter, Spices
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| Photo Credit: Pinterest |
This aromatic plant has violet flowers and green or pale gray leaves both of which
add a pleasant pungency to salad, rubs for poultry and fish,
and in spice blends, such as herbs de provence. The leaves can also be used to
make tea. You can find culinary lavender in natural food stores and
in some produce sections of larger grocery store.
 |
| Photo Credit: Pinterest |
in the Midwest, calls Washington Island,
located in Door County WI, home.
Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm and Shop currently has over 16,000 plants and 48
different varieties of lavender growing, including white and pink lavender. More than
5,000 people come for the lavender festival alone in late July.
This fragrant, easy-growing herb is famous for scenting soap and
long ago in sachet pouches, to scent dresser drawers.
When used with a light touch,
lavender adds a sweet, almost rosemary-like flavor to summer recipes.
long ago in sachet pouches, to scent dresser drawers.
When used with a light touch,
lavender adds a sweet, almost rosemary-like flavor to summer recipes.
Harvest lavender flowers before they are fully open.
Hang stems upside down in a dark area.
Remove buds when dry and
use in a variety of ways.
Hang stems upside down in a dark area.
Remove buds when dry and
use in a variety of ways.
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| Photo Credit: Pinterest |
Beneath lavender's sweet facade is a tough,
drought-tolerant perennial that is every gardener's' dream.
Silvery foliage extents the beauty long after flowering.
Silvery foliage extents the beauty long after flowering.
Lavender is most famously cultivated in sweeping fields in the South of France,
where it turns the summer landscape into a patchwork of purple.
But you don't have to travel to Provence France to enjoy lavender.
English lavenders are the hardiest (Zones 5-9)
where it turns the summer landscape into a patchwork of purple.
But you don't have to travel to Provence France to enjoy lavender.
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| Photo Credit: Turnips 2 Tangerines |
and are the earliest to bloom,
with dark blue or purple flowers.
Lavandin types are hybrids of English lavender,
prized for their long stems and intensely fragrant flowers.
French lavender has narrow, serrated leaves.
Flowers emit a camphor-like fragrance.
French and Spanish lavender,
sport distinctive flourishes of petals that resemble tiny butterflies at the tops of flowers.
Both Spanish and French types are tender perennials, hardy in Zones 7-9.
They also tolerate humidity, making them good picks for Southern gardens.
with dark blue or purple flowers.
Lavandin types are hybrids of English lavender,
prized for their long stems and intensely fragrant flowers.
French lavender has narrow, serrated leaves.
Flowers emit a camphor-like fragrance.
French and Spanish lavender,
sport distinctive flourishes of petals that resemble tiny butterflies at the tops of flowers.
Both Spanish and French types are tender perennials, hardy in Zones 7-9.
They also tolerate humidity, making them good picks for Southern gardens.
 |
| Photo Credit: Turnips 2 Tangerines |
Heat-loving lavender prefers well-drained soil,
in a spot that receives eight hours of full sun each day.
A light-color mulch of gravel or oyster shells
gives a reflective boost to these sun seekers.
It also drains moisture, a common cause of crown rot away from the bases of plants.
Combine lavender with other drought-tolerant species,
such as yarrow, coreopsis, and coneflower,
that don't require regular watering once established.
There's no need to fertilize,
as these tough plants do best in lean soil.
Remove deadwood in early spring and
shape after flowering by shearing back new growth by a third.
From small to tall,
in a spot that receives eight hours of full sun each day.
A light-color mulch of gravel or oyster shells
gives a reflective boost to these sun seekers.
It also drains moisture, a common cause of crown rot away from the bases of plants.
Combine lavender with other drought-tolerant species,
such as yarrow, coreopsis, and coneflower,
that don't require regular watering once established.
There's no need to fertilize,
as these tough plants do best in lean soil.
Remove deadwood in early spring and
shape after flowering by shearing back new growth by a third.
 |
| Photo Credit: Turnips 2 Tangerines |
there are more than 450 varieties of lavender.
Here are some popular varieties:
'GROSSO' This French type is one of the most fragrant. Tall stems are dramatic in bouquets.
'HANA ALBA' Pure white flowers on this dwarf English type appear luminescent in pots.
'LULLABY BLUE' Compact plants bear tall flower spikes in midsummer. Try this sweet-scented, English species in a big pot on patio.
'IMPERIAL GEM' Clusters of lasting deep blue flowers in midsummer make this English lavender a top choice for fresh and dried flower arrangements.
'MADRID BLUE' An early-blooming Spanish type, with perky white tuffs over purple-blue flowers.
'OTTO QUAST' Another Spanish-type with tidy, gray-green foliage and a top hat of winged petals. Snip back after flowering for rebloom.
Nature's Cue:
Bees arrive when flowers are at their freshest and
most fragrant, a sign that it's time to harvest.
All lavenders are edible.
Popular culinary types include:
'Melissa', 'Hidcote', 'Folgate', 'Royal Velvet', and 'Munstead'
Bees arrive when flowers are at their freshest and
most fragrant, a sign that it's time to harvest.
All lavenders are edible.
Popular culinary types include:
'Melissa', 'Hidcote', 'Folgate', 'Royal Velvet', and 'Munstead'
Classic Flavors:
Lavender is one of the Mediterranean plants in Herbs de Provence,
a mix of dried herbs for seasoning.
a mix of dried herbs for seasoning.
herbes de Provence [EHRB-duh-proh-VAWNS]
An assortment of dried herbs said to reflect those most commonly used in southern France.
This blend can be found in the spice section of large supermarkets.
The mixture commonly contains basil, fennel seed, lavender, marjoram, rosemary, sage, summer savory and thyme. The blend can be used to season dishes of meat, poultry and vegetables.
Also good with game meat, such as duck, quail or venison.
herbes de Provence
An assortment of dried herbs said to reflect those most commonly used in southern France.
This blend can be found in the spice section of large supermarkets.
The mixture commonly contains basil, fennel seed, lavender, marjoram, rosemary, sage, summer savory and thyme. The blend can be used to season dishes of meat, poultry and vegetables.
Also good with game meat, such as duck, quail or venison.
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| Photo Credit: Pinterest |
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons dried savory
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 3 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 2 teaspoons dried marjoram
- 1 tablespoon dried lavender buds or flowers
- Combine herbs, and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
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| Photo Credit: Pinterest |
Lavender Rub
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh or dried lavender buds
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Mix ingredients.
- Rub onto chicken breasts or pork tenderloin before grilling or roasting.
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| Photo Credit: Pinterest |
Lavender Syrup
Ingredients
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup fresh lavender buds OR
- 1/2 cup dried lavender buds
- In a medium saucepan heat sugar and water, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add lavender buds. Pour into a bowl; cover. Let stand 2 to 24 hours. Strain off lavender. Chill up to 2 weeks. Swirl syrup in iced tea, or spring cocktails.
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| Photo Credit: Pinterest |
Lavender Butter
Ingredients
- 1 stick softened butter
- 2 to 4 tablespoons minced fresh lavender buds or dried lavender buds
- Mash together the butter and lavender buds.
- Smear butter on warm biscuits, scones, or toast.
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| Photo Credit: Pinterest |
Lavender Sugar
Ingredients
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh or dried lavender buds
- Pour sugar in a quart glass jar. Toss in fresh or dried lavender buds; Cover and shake. Let sit on the counter a few weeks, shaking occasionally. Sprinkle over fresh fruit or swap for regular sugar in shortbread or sugar cookies.
Labels: Lavender, Lavender Butter, Lavender in the Kitchen, Lavender Rub, Lavender Syrup
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