By Amanda Rose | Edible Flowers
Early one hot summer morning, I put the kettle on and headed to the pantry for hibiscus, the key ingredient in our summer stock item, a strong hibiscus tea (an infusion). I reached for the ruby red flower, poured some out of the jar and into a pan, and poured boiling water over them. As […]
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By Amanda Rose | Lavender
We came home from the 4th Annual Lavender Festival in Paso Robles committed to using more lavender in our cooking. We are looking at almost uncharted waters. Other than adding lavender flowers to cookie dough, there are precious few suggestions on how to use lavender as flavoring. Wisdom has dictated trying new ideas in very […]
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By Amanda Rose | Summer Squash
I grew up with a hippie mother and have yet another bit of evidence: The album by Mary Lu Walker called Middle Age Middle Class Mama Songs filled our house in Delano, California every summer as we put up our feet up after working long days in a 1/3 acre herb garden. (When I say […]
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By Amanda Rose | Berries
These strawberry cream cups are simple to put together and will impress even the pickiest of guests. Their base is cream cheese, slightly sweetened with honey, and lightened just a bit by the addition of water. It sets up nicely with the addition of gelatin. The cream cheese portion of this recipe was inspired by […]
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By Amanda Rose | Hibiscus
We keep a hibiscus syrup stock during the summer which makes this recipe extremely easy (read more here). If you don’t keep a hibiscus syrup around consider doing so — this recipe is a great opportunity to try it out. This gelatin dessert is simply a combination of hibiscus syrup, water, gelatin, and strawberries. You […]
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By Amanda Rose | Cucumber
This vegetable slushie is extremely refreshing and satisfying. On a hot summer night this drink can definitely be “dinner.” With tequila, it may be dessert as well… We use cucumber, celery, garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, and purslane. The exact ingredients are totally flexible, as is the case with any vegetable drink. I do recommend the cucumber […]
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