by Susan Russo

Let 'Cooking with Flowers' Cookbook Plant Seeds of Delight Recipe

It's not that often that a cookbook surprises me, dare I say, intrigues me. Yet, that is exactly what Miche Bacher's book "Cooking with Flowers: Sweet and Savory Recipes with Rose Petals, Lilacs, Lavender, and Other Edible Flowers" has done.

Living in Southern California, I've become accustomed to seeing edible flowers at farmers markets, particularly marigolds, nasturtiums, pansies and herb flowers. While I've eaten them many times, most often sprinkled in spring or summertime salads, I've never realized their culinary potential. Thankfully, for me (and you), Miche Bacher has.

An herbalist, chef and founder of Mali B Sweets, a confectionery studio in Greenport, N.Y., Bacher shares her unique understanding and appreciation of flowers' culinary and medicinal qualities in more than 100 recipes. You'll find numerous tips for gathering, cleaning and preparing edible flowers, and well as how to infuse vinegars, vodkas, frostings and more with your favorite blossoms.

Recipes are divided by flower type, such as dandelions, geraniums, hibiscus, roses and violets, and are accompanied by stunning full-color photographs by Miana Jun. (Indeed, it's so beautiful it has become a bona fide coffee table book in my home.)

Bacher describes flowers' varying flavors -- chive blossoms and nasturtiums are spicy, while calendula and chamomile are earthy. Others vary dramatically in flavor, such as roses that can be sweet or spicy and geraniums that can taste like mint, orange or lime. While most recipes have short ingredient lists, it's important to realize that many rely upon syrups, jams and creams that need to be made prior to beginning the main recipe (hence lengthening the preparation time). Therefore, carefully read through each recipe before jumping in to ensure a timely outcome.

Not surprisingly, the majority of recipes are sweet -- there are several shortbread, cookie and ice cream recipes. You'll find a variety of approachable baked goods, such as Almond Elderflower Pound Cake, Chocolate Lavender Biscotti and Pistachio Rose Shortbread, alongside unexpected confections such as Oven-Baked Doughnuts with Lilac Cream Filling, Elderflower Marshmallows and Hollyhock Cream Puffs.

Perhaps most appealing are Bacher's savory recipes, namely her Potato Salad with Violet Vinaigrette, Mango Orchid Sticky Rice, Corn and Black Beans with Nasturtiums and Gouda Cheddar Daylily Biscuits.

Then there are some recipes that make you think, Really? And if you listen closely, you might just hear Bacher whispering, Yes! I promise, it's delicious! Like her Goat Cheese Nasturium Ice Cream that she recommends topping with crunchy bacon pieces or caramelized onions, or her mammoth Dandelion Cookies that she assures will become a permanent fixture of your picnics after just one bite.

Whether you've already explored cooking and baking with flowers or have never even considered eating a blossom, you can trust Miche Bacher and "Cooking with Flowers" to plant seeds of culinary delight in your kitchen.

Available at Amazon.com: Cooking with Flowers: Sweet and Savory Recipes with Rose Petals, Lilacs, Lavender, and Other Edible Flowers

 

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'Cooking with Flowers' Cookbook Plant Seeds of Delight

World-renowned chefs with an extraordinary passion for food share their passion on iHaveNet.com. These chefs make great cooking easier than imagined. Each gourmet recipe features expert advice and an easy-to-make recipe. Exactly what you need to transform your home cooking from acceptable to delectable

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