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AFRICAN BLUE BASIL, ATTAR OF
ROSE GERANIUM, BEE BALM, |
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Often we have edible flowers in our gardens, but don’t think of them as usable. Many herbs, vegetables and ornamental flowers have petals which can be plucked and parleyed into pretty palatable dishes. Edible flowers are flights of fancy that can be added as garnish to salads, butters, vinegars, sugars and savory meat dishes. Some can be candied, some can be dried or frozen, but most are best fresh. Usually, it is better to use the individual petals when incorporating them into food. The base of the petal or the calyx can be bitter or off tasting. For decorating, whole flowers and even clusters of flowers may be used. As with all plants we eat, be sure you know the flower is edible and has not been sprayed with toxic pesticides or herbicides or fertilized with chemical fertilizers. Never use flowers from the florist. Wash flowers gently before using and lay on a towel to dry or blot carefully. |
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AFRICAN BLUE
BASIL
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All basils make tasty flowers, but this basil’s flowers are a rich pink instead of the usual white found on most Basils. African Blue Basil is sterile and never makes a seed, but it keeps trying. This results in long flower stems up to 18 inches. Individual edible flowers can be plucked from the stem or stem segments can be used for a dramatic garnish. Add African Blue Basil Flowers to Sour Cream for Baked Potatoes, top your favorite pasta dish with them or float them in ice trays and add to ginger ale, champagne or white wine spritzers. African Blue Basil is more suited to indoor growing than most basils. If you want to over winter the plant, either grow it through the summer in a pot and move it in before frost or grow it in the ground and take tip cuttings in early fall. These are easily started in a glass of water (change the water every day) and then transferred to a pot for the winter. Leaves and flowers can be pureed with olive oil and frozen for winter use. Use about 3 cups leaves to 1/3 cup olive oil and store flat in small resealable bags. |
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ATTAR OF ROSE SCENTED
GERANIUM
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Attar is a general term that applies to perfume from flowers. Normally it is used in connection with rose petals and rose distillation. However, because it takes 150 pounds of roses to make 1 ounce of essential oil, the pelargonium, Attar of Rose, is often pressed into service. Little pink flowers cover the plant in late summer and are great candidates for candying. The flowers make attractive confetti when used in sorbets and jellies. Traditionally, scented geraniums are added to apple jelly. To actually flavor the jelly with Attar of Rose scented geranium, you will need to use the leaves during the boiling of the jelly. For 4 pounds of apples, insert about 14 whole leaves of the geranium in a cheesecloth pouch and remove when jelly is ready to set. Add about 2 Tablespoons of chopped flower petals for appearance right before pouring the finished jelly into jars. Make sure to use only the flower petals and not the bracts that hold the flowers. |
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BEE
BALM
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These spicy flowers are large and colorful. The red varieties like Cambridge Scarlet Bee Balm tend to be a bit hotter than their purple counterparts. But, the purple flowered varieties produce more flowers for a longer period of time. Often called Bergamot because of its citrusy flavor similar to the Bergamot Orange Tree, a tablespoon of Bee Balm flowers makes a great addition to the oil when frying white fish or scallops. Their strong flavor also goes well with meat and pork dishes. Whole flowers make attractive floaters in punch bowls of Sangria. Whole flowers also make good plate rings; surround the outside of your entrée platter with Bee Balm flowers to create a more visually appealing dish. Bee Balm flowers can be fresh frozen and will keep for two months or more. Bee Balm is a herbaceous plant, which means it dies back to the ground in the winter. Each year the base of the plant will spread as its stems spread just under the surface of the soil and set down roots. Mulching encourages this by giving the rhizomes soft dirt to stretch out in. Bee Balm leaves are very strongly flavored and should be dried before use. Add the dried leaves to black tea and make your own Earl Grey. |
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CONEHEAD THYME |
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Conehead Thyme grows slowly into a two foot wide mound that eventually reaches three feet in height. When it blooms, it is completely covered with incredibly spicy purple blossoms. While the leaves are traditionally used as a component in the Middle Eastern spice blend called Zatar, the flavor of this plants screams hot, hot, hot. Garnish salsa verde or guacamole with the hot little flowers of Conehead Thyme. Or, add the flowers with other chopped herbs like Oregano and Thyme and add to salad dressings. |
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MUNSTEAD LAVENDER
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Munstead Lavender flowers are full of rich sweet flavor and are especially nice when used with sweets. Add a tablespoon of finely chopped lavender flowers to any sugar or butter cookie recipe or add two tablespoons to any pound cake or white cake. This makes an elegant addition to tea time. They are also good for butters and cream cheese recipes. Use about 7 Tablespoons of chopped flower petals to one-half pound softened butter. As with all the flowers, pick when just opened and not when starting to turn brown. Waiting even a day or two to pick, can affect the flavor. It is best to eat only the flower petals. Do this by pulling the flowers away from the little brown or grown cap that holds them. Lavender flowers can be fresh-frozen or dried. |
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PINEAPPLE SAGE
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The long red tubes of Pineapple Sage are the saving grace for this plant. Because, even though this plant is extremely fragrant, it has little if any value for cooking. The flowers are reminiscent of Honeysuckle and make a colorful addition to salads, fruit cocktails or any garnish. Their vibrant red color compliments many dishes. They are particularly attractive with yellow or green bell pepper. They can be sugared and used to garnish cakes or cookie platters. |
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Additional Edible Flowers: Yarrow, Hollyhocks, Chives, Lemon Verbena, Dill, Angelica, Chamomile, Chicory, Fennel, Hyssop, Mint, Myrtle, Catnips and Catmints (Nepetas), Oreganos, Rosemary, Salvias, Thymes, Red Clover, Valerian. |
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BOOKS TO READ ON THIS TOPIC: |
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Substitutions in Herb Garden Six Packs are made with appropriate plants when necessary. |
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