From the closet on the plates

Lavender is more ingredient of various dishes though it’s not a plant that is associated with food.

When you look at the list of spices that are used in the Middle Ages, you can only conclude that the dark Middle Ages were misunderstandings, but not dark. Some spice to survive, and some are almost out of use. So it is with lavender. This Mediterranean plant used as medicine and as spices. Has never been particularly popular, but was an integral part of the monastery where cabinets were kept spices. In the 12th century world Hildegard of Bingen in the book “causale et cura” is mentioned in the list of lavender plants that aromatize wine. Essential oils of lavender always be more useful in the cosmetic industry, but at the table.

Apparently Elizabeth I of England had adored the lavender that is ordered must always be on the table. And Queen Victoria requested that lavender is her in every room. With proven medicinal properties, lavender is sometimes had a magic. If the wife to her husband put lavender in the right shoe will prevent possible adultery. For the same reason women seafarers are cookies and put back a little lavender.

For us, lavender fragrance is smell from the closet, the smell of moth who flee, but the smell that we associate with food. But there are always enthusiasts who want to change the established picture. A few years ago American Sharon Shipley has published a book, “The Lavender Cookbook”, a cookbook devoted to lavender. And the trend is headed. California restaurants are swamped with ice creams, lavender, lavender jelly, cream brulee, lavender lemonade, salads with lavender.

Try a few recipes with lavender. It is important to know that it is characterized by a sweet, floral flavor with a refreshing citrus note. Just a few tickets, so be very careful with the dosage. Can be used as a substitute for rosemary, that is good in all the dishes in which it has rosemary.