Lavender Herb
Tips on Using the Lavender Herb
A highlight of any perennial garden is the romantic and aromatic lavender herb; its silvery gray foliage and pale lavender flowers reminiscent of an English cottage garden. Besides the beauty and fragrance of the lavender, it can also be used as an edible herb.
As a member of the popular mint family, the lavender herb can be used in many different recipes. Fresh or dried, both the blossoms, leaves and stems are not only edible but delicious as a complement to such other herbs as savory, oregano, thyme and sage. Most commonly used in the culinary world is the English lavender; whose sweet taste has hints of floral and citrus flavor.
Fresh, homegrown lavender herb is the only type that should be used in the kitchen. Any lavender flowers that have been purchased at the supermarket, nursery or florist have been treated, and as such, are no longer edible. Lavender is such an easy perennial to grow and harvest as well as such a beautiful and fragrant addition to gardens or containers that you will want to have plenty on hand to take advantage of all of its value.
To harvest your lavender herb, choose only the brightest and most perfectly formed flowers. For fresh lavender use, pick only what you will need at the time, since its flavor is best when fresh. Soak in cold water to rinse blossoms and remove any undesired elements. Just before using, dry the flowers between sheets of paper towels. The lavender herb blossoms are now ready to add to glasses of wine or champagne, bring a splash of color to rich, chocolate cake, as seasoning to salads, sauces, soups or stews and more. The stems and leaves can be chopped and added to foods that call for rosemary.
Dried lavender herb flowers and leaves intensify in flavor, as do all herbs. Use a small amount when adding lavender to recipes, and then add to taste if needed. Flavorful and sweet drinks can be made with sugar that has been infused with lavender; simply toss a handful of blossoms along with a couple of cups of granulated sugar into a tightly closed container. Allow a few weeks for the flavors to blend and enjoy. The flavored sugar can also be used in cookie and cake recipes for an extra special taste.
Enjoying the fragrant and lovely lavender plant in your garden is wonderful in itself. Add to that pleasure the ability to bring the lavender herb into your kitchen to enjoy it in your favorite foods and drinks, and what you have is an all around herbal wonder. For some, the romantic scents and visual beauty of the plant may be enough; for others, it is just the prelude to bringing the delicious taste to the table.