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How-To: Lavender Up Your Food

Q. Hi Jordan!

I am a major lavender nut, and when I recently spied a bag of dried lavender flowers in the spice aisle of my local co-op I immediately threw it into my cart.

I have no clue what to do with it.

Any ideas?

Caitlin

A. There are lots of pretty (and delicious) ways to incorporate lavender into your food. The key is to add only a little at a time – too much, and it’ll taste like you’re munching on perfume.

Some ideas:

If you whip up a little lavender simple syrup (it’s super easy – all you need is dried lavender, sugar, and water), you can make lots of great cocktails, like the Blackberry Lavender Margarita from The Blonde Gourmand (pictured above).

Another of my favorites: the Lavender Vodka Sparkler (mix together 2 oz vodka, 1/2 oz lavender simple syrup, and 1/4 oz lime juice; fill with champagne; garnish with lavender sprig).

Lavender also works in savory dishes, to add a little flavor and color (above, a Beet Salad with Lavender Honey Goat Cheese).

And of course, it’s perfect to use in desserts. Try crumbling a little over chocolate cake or ice cream…

…or use a sprig as a garnish for cupcakes and cakes.

Click the images above for more info. 

Anyone else have a favorite lavender-inclusive recipe?



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June 29th, 2012 | Posted by Jordan | Eat, Lifestyle | 7 Comments »

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  • Adeline

    Obsessed with lavender here too! Just this morning I found this lavender lemonade recipe (pretty much Jordan’s suggestion of a syrup) http://www.freutcake.com/drinks-anyone/lavender-lemonade/

    I’ve also been eyeing up this recipe http://www.tarteletteblog.com/2012/03/recipe-gluten-free-berries-sorbet.html for Lavender Shortbreads. I’ve not made it yet, but Tartelette’s recipes are usually fantastic!

  • Guest

    Unfortunately I don’t have a recipe per se, but a shop in my town makes the most delicious lavender gelato (and rose, incidentally).  If you own an ice cream maker you could try that, or you could use a version of the lavender simple syrup to make a granita, too.

  • Abby

    I made lavender lemonade for a book club and it was a huge hit!  not overpowering but just a nice hint!  Add food coloring for the full impact as it doesnt get too purple on its own!

  • http://www.alwaysorderdessert.com/ Alejandra Ramos

    I actually have been all lavender crazy this week! I just posted a honey lavender ice cream recipe: http://www.alwaysorderdessert.com/2012/06/honey-lavender-ice-cream.html

    And (not edible, but still fun): a lavender oatmeal bath soak:http://www.alwaysorderdessert.com/2012/06/kitchen-beauty-diy-oatmeal-lavender.html

    And I just made lavender chocolate chip cookies! I’ll be posting the recipe I made next week, but basically just add crushed lavender buds (about a tablespoon or so) into your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe along with the sugar and butter, then cover the batter and let it sit overnight in the fridge to infuse it with the lavender flavor. It’s amazing with the chocolate! 

  • jordanreid

    You have the BEST lavender recipes! I thought you’d have some great suggestions :)

  • Dallaslwood

    I don’t have a sweet tooth so I usually only order deserts when they are lemon based. But I was lucky enough to dine at a silver service restaurant recently that had a lavender dessert so I made room for it. It came out on a magical platter with lavender creme brulee, candied lavender, and lavender turkish fairy floss. It changed my whole concept of deserts. I could never recreate it at home, but WOW.
    And it reminded me of a wonderful childhood vacation to a Lavender farm in Tasmania Australia where we were let loose to run through miles of lavender plants…

  • Emily

    These lavender vanilla scones with lemon glaze are INCREDIBLE. I made them for my Royal Wedding viewing party last year and they were a huge hit! : 
    http://www.welcometoadulthood.com/2010/06/lavender-heart-scones-with-a-lemon-vanilla-glaze.html