666080 Tue Nov 10 09:56:32 -0800 2009 12 31 Home Cooking 0 5170198 Shopping at our favorite Chinese apothecary in Flushing, New York, I spotted a lovely jar of very fragrant lavender blossoms. It was remarkably cheap; on sale. For $5 I got a *huge* baggie of the stuff. I seek recommendations. Not the usual culprits like tea or infused vodka. (I put some of the blossoms into a pot of Pu-Erh tea and was in heaven!) What do 'Hounds do with lavender? To get the party started I'll tell you what I made for lunch today: A pound of boneless skinless chicken thigh meat, cut into 1" cubes. 1/4 lb. smoky sausage; I used smoked German wurst. 1 cup diced onion At least a cup of mushrooms, sliced 1 cup coarsely chopped celery 1/4 cup Olive Oil A couple cloves of garlic, smashed A few bay leaves A little chicken stock A little white wine (I used Sauvignon Blanc) Saute everything (but stock & wine) in the olive oil until lightly browned. Add stock and wine and simmer until the sauce is somewhat thick. Season with salt & pepper. We served with some sticky rice. Tue Nov 10 09:56:32 -0800 2009 270888 shaogo 1 5170215 First thing I would do is make a batch of lavendar salt. Last time I was at the Charleston farm market I bought some from a vendor who uses salt she buys in France (she's a flight attendant). We brought it back to the house and sprinkled over freshly sliced farm tomatoes. So delicious my sister was forced to go get more tomatoes so we could do an encore. Later that day, we used it with butter on corn and rubbed into grilled steaks. Entire (small) jar gone in 3 days. Tue Nov 10 10:02:13 -0800 2009 5170198 280735 tcamp 1 5170388 Lavender shortbread. Put some blossoms in with the sugar you will use, bruise gently, cover, and let sit at least overnight before using. Drizzle the shortbread with dark chocolate. Tue Nov 10 10:59:02 -0800 2009 5170198 266610 aguacate 1 5170404 I do a lavendar filled cupcake. Delicious!! LMK if you want the recipe. Tue Nov 10 11:03:40 -0800 2009 5170198 192643 sunangelmb 2 5170451 I don't generally make cupcakes. Could the cake/filling be adapted to make a large cake, or perhaps small cakes with intense lavender icing? Do tell, and thanks for the idea! Tue Nov 10 11:15:55 -0800 2009 5170404 270888 shaogo 3 5170505 sure, i suppose it could be used anyway. just make a lavender simple syrup (sugar water lavender) and infuse away. Cakes, icings, it's ALL good!!!!! Tue Nov 10 11:31:45 -0800 2009 5170451 192643 sunangelmb 1 5170449 I recently purchased a bottle of lavender balsamic vinegar for my mother (who loves lavender). Its a delicious flavor combination for dessert- Im sure that it would be easy to make as well by steeping lots of lavender in the vinegar.... Tue Nov 10 11:15:20 -0800 2009 5170198 180029 fmcoxe6188 1 5170460 Some previous threads: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/552647 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/410570 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/631173 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/552628 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/496510 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/491136 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/430362 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/328098 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/279478 And some sites: http://www.purplehazelavender.com/ http://www.sonomalavender.com/culinary.htm http://whatscookingamerica.net/Lavender.htm http://www.capecodlavenderfarm.com/ http://www.yankeemagazine.com/recipes/search/results.php?keyword=lavender Doing a search on the Home Cooking board will bring up many more threads. (This thread might get moved there as well, as it's more appropriate over there.) Tue Nov 10 11:18:52 -0800 2009 5170198 10532 LindaWhit 2 5171460 Oh, boy! Thanks, LindaWhit! Now, I'm ashamed that I didn't SEARCH this board first. Thanks for a very, very comprehensive list. I've sure got my work cut out for me. Tue Nov 10 18:05:37 -0800 2009 5170460 270888 shaogo 3 5172319 It's always easier to ask then search, but the search function has gotten a lot better. I was surprised at the number of threads on HC with "Lavender" in the title as well - not all are listed above. Have fun! I also love using culinary lavender, but a little can definitely go a long way. :-) Wed Nov 11 06:30:35 -0800 2009 5171460 10532 LindaWhit 1 5170494 Lavender ice cream! Make a custard, infuse with lavender. (I suppose you would need an ice cream machine, but I imagine it would be nice as a custard as well). I also really like making lavender infused maple syrup--a unique addition on top of the usual pancakes/waffles. Tue Nov 10 11:28:28 -0800 2009 5170198 50691 nas9211 1 5171472 Would you mind giving me the name/location of the place? That's a great deal. Tue Nov 10 18:10:47 -0800 2009 5170198 10985 MMRuth 1 5171611 Here are a few ideas Lavender Panna Cotta with candied lemon peel Lavender creme brule" Lavender pound cake w/fresh berries Lavender simple syrup for infusing cakes, mixing in cocktails, etc. Tue Nov 10 19:12:39 -0800 2009 5170198 52629 gardencub