How to Season Food With Lavender

One of the latest food trends in upscale dining is using lavender to flavor foods. That's right, the same herb you may use to relax and scent your closets can be used to flavor your entrée or dessert. If your curiosity about how to use it has been spiked, here's how you can do it at home.

Instructions

1. Substitute lavender in place of spices like marjoram and thyme in savory meat dishes. Lavender is part of the mint family and is closely related to thyme, fennel and sage. Try its slightly piney flavor alongside oregano.

2. Spear shrimp, lamb or beef on lavender spikes instead of the traditional rosemary. Fruit kabobs on lavender are also a novel twist for your guests. Simply grill the kabobs as you normally would.

3. Sweeten your desserts with lavender sugar. Mix together 1 c. of sugar and 2 tbsp. of dried lavender blossoms and grind together until the sugar takes on a soft purple hue and the dried flowers are no longer visible. Use it to flavor whipped cream, cookies and cakes.

4. Liven up lemonade with lavender. Cover 1 tbsp. lavender blossoms with 1 c. boiling water until the flowers lose nearly all their color. Allow it to cool and combine it with 2 qt. of regular lemonade. Serve over ice for a refreshing and beautiful drink.

5. Steep lavender in your favorite white alcohol (gin or vodka are standouts). Experiment with it in your favorite cocktail recipes, especially ones that already have a berry or citrus flavor.

Tips & Warnings

• The best variety of lavender for cooking is English lavender.

• Lavender is a very strong flavored herb and a little goes a long way. Don't think that you will improve a recipe by doubling the amount. You may make it inedible instead.

• Never eat lavender from the crafts store or from a florist's shop. It is probably meant for potpourri and was most likely treated with chemicals that aren't suitable for human consumption. If you cannot grow and dry your own, get yours from an herb shop that sells organic lavender.