Roses, violets, calendula, dandelions, chamomile, lily and lavender, just to name a few, are nature’s way of providing us with heaps of edible flowers commonly used by award winning chefs to prepare dishes that are just out of this world. Find out how you can choose and use the perfect bouquet to create your own master piece in the comfort of your kitchen. As the latest trend in haute cuisine, edible flowers have brought new botanical species to our plates. But if this is a recent discovery for foodies, the world’s great chefs have been using flowers as ingredients for more than a decade now: from rose petals to lavender, to more reassuring flowers like those of thyme, dill, coriander, chives or violets.
Edible flowers are frequently used to create dishes such as salads, gelatins, soups, flans, desserts and ice creams, hot and cold drink and so much more which we’ll go more into detail as we read along. Their purpose is not solely for decorative purpose: each one adds a unique, precise flavor to a dish. Calendula, for example, is slightly spicy. Violet adds a special scent to everything that smells incredible. Begonia for example, has a citrus flavor and can be used when creating dishes that call for a hint of citrus. Spices such as cloves can be immersed in wine, caramelized or used as decoration for cakes. And chrysanthemum flowers will add a pleasant bitter bite to your delicacies. Over time, you too will discover which spice works best for the dishes you’re already preparing at home. If you want to step out of the box a bit, be brave and try a new spice. Don’t forget to tell us all about it, we’d love to hear from you.
Anyone who’s ever had the good fortune to try a dish called Water Lilies from Ferran Adrià of elBulli, will probably never forget the experience, or walk through a garden in the same way again. Cashews are served over a soup of tea, geranium leaves and begonia flowers. The restaurant was only open for six months each year and would receive over 3 million requests for reservations, for its 60 cover space, which could only seat 8000 diners per six-month season. The dish must be unforgettable!
When it comes to botanical cuisine, Spain’s chefs have been leading the way for years. “If I want rosemary I can use its flowers, which have a fabulous aroma, rather than rosemary, as such. Another thing we like about them is their texture,” the Catalan chef Andoni Luis Aduriz, who’s been using edible flowers for years, expressed. And its phrase that perfectly sums up the philosophy of those who go grocery shopping in the garden. This kind of approach is why flowers are so perfectly suited to the new kind of avant-garde cooking that seeks to satisfy all senses, not just our sense of taste.
Much more than just a “touch of color” or a passing trend, chefs all over the country are beginning to use edible flowers as a tool to communicate their beliefs. It was said that in 1990, two French chefs, each with three Michelin stars, Michel Bras and Marc Veyrat began experimenting with flowers in order to safeguard a philosophy of cuisine that emphasizes the environment and sustainability. Something that’s very common to us today, seemed silly and ridiculous some 20 years ago.
Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and even artichokes are actually all flowers. The precious spice, saffron, is comes from the stamen of the crocus, and capers come from the flowers of this Mediterranean bush. Before trying your hand at experimentation, however, remember to wash all flowers very carefully before eating. We recommend that you don’t use any flowers bought at a florist’s, and don’t gather from the sidewalks. We recommend a specialty store since you’ve already decided to try your hand in botanical cuisine. Use only the petals, and throw away the green parts. The darker ones are usually organic and are easily ordered online.
Just one last tip! This applies to those brave enough to not only cook with them, but grow them as well. The best time to pick the flowers is in the early morning, when the dew has just formed on the petals. Place them gently in a basket as if they were made of crystal. The easiest way is to mix them into a salad and dress to your liking.
Cooking with Flowers
New York is just one of the cities best known for its exquisite restaurants, fine dining experiences and now the chefs are incorporating edible flowers into their cuisine, desserts and beverages. They’re using tulips, roses, dandelions, lilacs, and many more floral elements as part of their ingredients. Their creations are not only unbelievably delicious but they are beautiful. You should snap a picture for your Instagram before you devour this incredible creation.
Roll edible flowers into your homemade pasta sheets for this lovely spring dish. Use Semolina flour and follow your usual recipe.
Cathy Wilkinson Barash, author and expert in this topic, organizes her flowers into flavor groups such as herbal, sweet and floral. Her list of edible flowers is according to flavor and bitterness and may not appeal to everyone. Familiarize yourself with flowers in each of these groups and begin to incorporate them into your meals.
Edible Flower List:
Sweet Flavors
Banana (Musa spp.)
Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile, Matricaria recutita) — Apple like
Dandelion (Taraxacum spp.) — Bitter when old
Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) — Sweet
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
Linden (Tilia spp.)
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) — Mildly sweet
Pineapple guava (Feijoa sellowiana) — Tropical
Red clover (Trifolium pratense)
Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) — Fresh
Yucca (Yucca spp.)
Spicy/Sweet
Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) — Licorice
Bee balm (Monarda didyma)
Dianthus (Dianthus caryophyllus) — Clove
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) — Mild licorice
Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans)
Floral
Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) — Sweet
Jasmine (Jasminum sambac, J. officinale) — Sweet
Lavender (Lavandula spp.) — Strong, Perfumy
Lilac (Syringa spp.)
Rose (Rosa spp.)
Scented geranium (Pelargonium spp.)
Sweet violet (Viola odorata) — Strong, Perfumy
Minty
Johnny Jump-up (Viola tricolor) — Mild
Mint (Mentha spp.) — Variable
Pansy (Viola ¥wittrockiana) — Mild
Citrus
Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) — Mild
Lemon (Citrus limon) — Sweet
Lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla) — Sweet
Orange (Citrus sinensis) — Sweet
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) — Mild
Signet marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia) — Tarragon flavor with citrus undertones
Tuberous begonia (Begonia Tuberhybrida Hybrids)
Peppery/spicy
Arugula (Eruca sativa)
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea, Botrytis Group)
Canary creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum)
Kale (Brassica oleracea, Acephala Group)
Mustard (Brassica juncea)
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Radish (Raphanus sativus)
Onion/garlic
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) — oniony
Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) — garlicky
Nodding onion (Allium cernuum) — oniony
Society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) — sweet garlic
Herbal
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) — Strong
Oregano (Origanum spp.)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Savory (Satureja hortensis, S. montana)
Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
Thyme (Thymus spp.)
Bitter
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) — Mild
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) — Mild
Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema ¥grandiflora) — Mild
English daisy (Bellis perennis) — Mild
Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) — Strong
Shungiku (Chrysanthemum coronarium) — Mild
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — Bittersweet
Other
Borage (Borago officinalis) — Cucumber like
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) — Mild, Nutty
Pea (Pisum sativum) — Pea like
Redbud (Cercis canadensis) — Pea like
Rose-of-sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) — Mildly vegetal
Runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus) — Beanlike
Squash (Cucurbita spp.) — Vegetal
Tulip (Tulipa spp.) — Bean or Pea like
Sweet & Flowery
Flowers with a simple, sweet flavor as well as those with a perfumed or floral taste are unbeatable for flavoring beverages, fruit salads and cake batter. Pineapple sage flowers have a hint of spice; dandelion flowers are sweet when they first open but become bitter as they mature. Honeysuckle’s sweet flavor is as magical to me today as it was when I first tasted it more than forty years ago. She makes a luscious sorbet with the flowers, strawberries and water—no additional sugar is needed.
‘Sensation’, a showstopping lilac cultivar with deep purple flowers edged in white, is extremely flavorful and fragrant, but some varieties have a grassy flavor which are rarely used. Her favorite of all the edible flowers available on the market are the succulent, fuchsialike blossoms of pineapple guava, a tropical tree that she grow in a tub and move outdoors is summer; they taste like ripe papaya. Flowers with a sweet, perfumy flavor, including lavender and sweet violet, can be overpowering, so use them sparingly.
Hint of Mint
All of the mints, whether peppermint, spearmint or the less familiar apple mint, ginger mint and others, have flowers with a flavor that of the leaves. Mint flowers add a cool sparkle to yogurt sauces and vanilla ice cream.
Johnny jump-ups and pansies also have a mild minty flavor. Their delightful faces are particularly attractive placed on cheese. I once saw grilled veal chops sauced with a thin layer of parsnip puree and covered with Johnny jump-ups; with only the bone showing, it looked like flowery lollipops. The mint flavor of the flowers complemented the grilled chop perfectly.
Red bee balm’s mint flavor has a strong, spicy overtone; other colors I’ve tried taste like mothballs. The licorice-anise flavors of anise hyssop and fennel flowers cleanse the palate and freshen the breath, and the flowers are fun to nibble on in the garden. Anise hyssop, with spikes of tiny violet florets from midsummer to frost, is one of my all-time favorites. Fennel’s yellow umbels pair well with cauliflower and lima beans and add a different flavor to apple pie.
Hot & Spicy
The red, orange or yellow blooms of nasturtiums are everywhere these days, from restaurant salad plates to supermarket mesclun mixes. People tasting them for the first time often are surprised by their peppery flavor. Some of the newer cultivars have a sweet taste first, followed by a good peppery kick.
Arugula and mustard leaves are found in many salad mixes. If you grow these greens, you know that the leaves become too bitter to eat when the plants bloom. Instead of digging out the plants, enjoy the tang of the pale yellow, four-petaled flowers. You can also pick the flowers of broccoli and radishes that are past their prime. With distinctive flavors much like the vegetables themselves, they are especially well suited for salads.
Onions & Friends
The flowers of the edible alliums and their relatives are composed of clusters of florets. Because the flavor may be very strong, you’ll want to break the flowers into individual florets when cooking or garnishing with them rather than use the entire flower head.
One this she can’t bare to live without is chive flowers. Harvesting them from the time they begin to bloom in spring keeps them coming, although less profusely, all summer. Rub an entire mauve pom-pom in a wooden salad bowl to give a good oniony flavor to your salad and use florets to flavor marinades.
In late summer, garlic chives can contribute their white umbels of flowers to stir-fried dishes. The delicate lilac flowers of society garlic have the mildest flavor of this group. Sautéed nodding onion heads are a good addition to soups and stocks in midsummer.
So Herbal
Edible herb flowers include the yellow umbels of dill, which give a dill flavor to pickling solutions and pair well with shellfish, and thymes, whose flowers may taste of lemon, caraway or garden thyme, depending on the variety. The tiny flowers of sweet marjoram are more delicately flavored than those of its cousin Greek oregano; both are favorites for flavoring vinegar. Basil’s delicate flowers uplift an otherwise ordinary pesto. Cilantro flowers have a mild flavor reminiscent of the leaves.
These herb flowers consort well with vegetables, whether sprinkled atop cooked ones or mixed with oil and vinegar in a salad dressing. Chopped and mixed with sweet butter, they make a perky topping to baked or boiled potatoes. A little hyssop goes a long way; it tastes a little like quinine, but it is excellent in a robust salad dressing. Parsley is one of the few culinary herbs with nonedible flowers.
The Taste of Beans
It’s no surprise that bean blossoms taste like beans. Their colors, ranging from white through pink to vivid red, add a dimension to any dish. What is surprising is that tulips taste like beans—or peas, depending on the variety. ‘Court Lady’, an ivory tulip with a stroke of green down the center of the petals, tastes distinctly like ‘Sugar Snap’ peas. In fact, the base of the petal even gives a wonderful crunch when you bite into it.
The small pink flowers of the redbud tree, another member of the pea family, also have a good beanlike flavor and crunch that are especially good in pasta with asparagus, which is in season at the same time.
Rules for Flower Eaters
Eat only those flowers you know to be safe; some can be toxic.
Eat only organically grown edible flowers.
Don’t eat flowers from nurseries, florists or garden centers.
Don’t eat flowers picked from heavily traveled roadsides.
Don’t eat flowers if you have a history of allergies, asthma or hay fever.
Eat only the petals, removing pistils and stamens (except those of tiny flowers such as lilac, basil and thyme).
Don’t assume that a flower is edible just because it is garnishing a dinner plate.
Taste flowers before you use them in a recipe, as they can vary according to variety and cultural conditions.
Rinse flowers in running water before tasting.
Exquisite crystallized flowers aren’t too pretty to eat. Here they add sweet appeal to bakery treats.
What goes better with a cup of tea than a tiny frosted cake topped with candied violets and mint leaves? Preserving flowers and leaves with sugar requires some patience and time, but it is quite simple to do. Nearly everything you need is probably in your house. I use powdered egg white that I purchase at a cake-decorating shop; not only is it convenient and easy to use, it carries no risk of salmonella poisoning. I buy extra-fine granulated sugar there as well.
Any flowers and leaves you use must be edible and free from pesticides or other harmful substances. Choose blooms that are newly opened, free of dew, and clean, but wait to cut them until you are ready to preserve them so they will be fresh and firm. Limp or wilted blossoms will turn into sodden, sticky lumps. Remove any stamens as the pollen on them may cause allergic reactions.
My favorite flowers for crystallizing include violas, pansies, miniature roses, bachelor’s-buttons, fuchsia hybrids, calendula, lavender and lilacs. I use both the leaves and flowers of scented pelargoniums. Mint and lemon balm leaves both contribute a pleasing, sprightly taste and hold their color well.
Use candied flowers or leaves as you would sugar sprinkles to make a simple dish of ice cream or a brownie special. Dress up fruit cups, tarts and pies. A cascade of crystallized blossoms swirling down a wedding or birthday cake is a sight not soon forgotten.
How to Candy Flowers
The delicate beauty and color of flowers can be preserved for months if the flowers are properly crystallized and stored.
Materials
2 small bowls
Powdered egg white
Water
Salt shaker filled with extra-fine granulated sugar
Tweezers
Fine artist’s paintbrush
A variety of edible flowers
Waxed paper
Cake rack
Small knife
In a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon powdered egg white together with 3½ tablespoons water until slightly frothy. Lay a piece of waxed paper near your work space.
Pick three or four small flowers or one large one. Holding each flower by the petals with tweezers, paint the front and back of each petal with the egg-white mixture.
Holding the flower over another small bowl, sprinkle the back heavily with sugar, turning it so the sugar falls into the crevices between overlapping petals. Turn and sprinkle the front lightly. The lighter coating of sugar on the face of the flower will make it look more natural when dry. Place each flower on the waxed paper, face up, allowing plenty of room between blooms.
While the first batch dries, pick more flowers and coat them with egg white and sugar until you’ve done as many as you wish. After the first batch has lain on the waxed paper for about an hour, gently touch a flower to see if it has stiffened slightly. If so, slide the tip of a knife under it and move it away from any syrup that may have dripped off. Move it again in several hours. Place larger flowers such as calendulas and roses on a cake rack after the first hour to expedite drying. Place the flower-covered waxed paper or rack in a warm, well-ventilated area until the flowers are completely dry. This may take as long as two weeks. When dry, the flowers are brittle and quite fragile, so handle them with care.
Pack the flowers loosely in airtight, shallow jars (widemouth half-pint jars are perfect). Stored in a dark, dry place (not the refrigerator), they will keep six to eight months. Exposure to light may cause the colors to fade.
Lilac Flower Sorbet
Lilac flowers give this sorbet a delicate flavor that’s not too sweet.
2 cups water
¼ cup sugar
½ cup lilac flowers, coarsely chopped
In a heavy nonreactive saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the lilac flowers, lower the heat and simmer for 8 minutes, stirring frequently.
Remove the pan from the heat and let the liquid cool to room temperature; strain out the flowers if desired. Pour the liquid into an ice-cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Serve topped with candied lilacs. If not serving immediately, place scoops of sorbet on a cookie sheet and freeze, then transfer to a resealable freezer bag or other suitable container.
Serves 4 to 6
Creative Floral Ideas for Any Occasion
A garden party with its own botanical ingredients incorporated into the festivity would not only look beautiful but taste like something your guests have never tasted.
There’s just endless ways you can apply these botanical wonders into our meals. It will bring new pleasure in cooking for those who have lost their desire as well as their touch in creative imaginative, scrumptious meals their families will love. Get creative and put a cute little signature taste to your dishes. Your meals will be something your family and friends will be talking about for years to come.
Want to make a breakfast that’s out of the ordinary for that someone special in your life, check out this great botanical combination.
Having girlfriends over for brunch, here is a quick idea that will have them buzzing! Add a delicious salad and cocktail or two and top it with a scrumptious piece of mouthwatering dessert and you’ve got yourself a get together with little effort.
Source(s):
www.finedininglovers.com
www.kitchencaravan.com
www.motherearthliving.com