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Kitchen Moments ~ Edible Flowers con't
3:48 PM, Jul. 10, 2008
First of all, I would like to apologize for not having an article last week. There have been a lot of big changes going on over here and, while they are not a hassle in themselves, with five small children around, life has become quite the juggling act! Some things just fell by the wayside and I just wasn't able to do it all. So, my apologies to all.
To continue with the enjoyment of all the varieties of edible flowers the Lord has blessed us with, the following is a partial list of the many different blooms that can be found and what plants they are found on. But please remember, that if at any time you are uncertain weather a bloom can be eaten, play on the side of caution and do not eat it. Alliums (leeks, chives, garlic, garlic chives) - Known as the "Flowering Onions." There are approximately four hundred species that includes the familiar onion, garlic, chives, ramps, and shallots. All members of this genus are edible. Their flavors range from mild onions and leeks right through to strong onion and garlic. All parts of the plants are edible. The flowers tend to have a stronger flavor than the leaves and the young developing seed-heads are even stronger. We eat the leaves and flowers mainly in salads. The leaves can also be cooked as a flavoring with other vegetables in soups, etc. Chive Blossoms - Use whenever a light onion flavor and aroma is desired. Separate the florets and enjoy the mild, onion flavor in a variety of dishes. Garlic Blossoms - The flowers can be white or pink, and the stems are flat instead of round. The flavor has a garlicky zing that brings out the flavor of your favorite food. Milder than the garlic bulb. Wonderful in salads. Depending on the variety, flower range from pale lavender-blue to deep rose. It has a flavor similar to licorice. Angelica is valued culinary from the seeds and stems, which are candied and used in liqueurs, to the young leaves and shoots, which can be added to a green salad. Because of its celery-like flavor, Angelica has a natural affinity with fish. The leaves have a stronger, clean taste and make a interesting addition to salads. In its native northern Europe, even the mature leaves are used, particularly by the Laplanders, as a natural fish preservative. Many people in the cold Northern regions such as Greenland, Siberia, and Finland consider Angelica a vegetable, and eat the stems raw, sometimes spread with butter. Young leaves can be made into a tea.
Arugula - Also called garden rocket, roquette, rocket-salad, Oruga, Rocketsalad, rocket-gentle; Raukenkohl (German); rouquelle (French); rucola (Italian). An Italian green usually appreciated raw in salads or on sandwiches. The flowers are small, white with dark centers and can be used in the salad for a light piquant flavor. The flowers taste very similar to the leaves and range in color from white to yellowish with dark purple veins. Arugula resembles radish leaves in both appearance and taste. Leaves are compound and have a spicy, peppery flavor that starts mild in young leaves and intensifies as they mature. Banana Blossoms - Also know as Banana Hearts. The flowers are a purple-maroon torpedo shaped growth appears out of the top of usually the largest of the trunks. Banana blossoms are used in Southeast Asian cuisines. The blossoms can be cooked or eaten raw. The tough covering is usually removed until you get to the almost white tender parts of the blossom. It should be sliced and let it sit in water until most of the sap are gone. If you eat it raw, make sure the blossom comes from a variety that isn't bitter. Most of the Southeast Asian varieties aren't bitter. Basil - Depending on the type, the flowers are either bright white, pale pink, or a delicate lavender. The flavor of the flower is milder, but similar to the leaves of the same plant. Basil also has different varieties that have different milder flavors like lemon and mint. Sprinkle them over salad or pasta for a concentrated flavor and a spark of color that gives any dish a fresh, festive look. Bee Balm - Also called Wild Bergamot, Wild Oswego Tea, Horsemint, Monarda. Wild bee balm tastes like oregano and mint. The taste of bee balm is reminiscent of citrus with soft mingling of lemon and orange. The red flowers have a minty flavor. Any place you use oregano, you can use bee balm blossoms. The leaves and flower petals can also be used in both fruit and regular salads. The leaves taste like the main ingredient in Earl Gray Tea and can be used as a substitute. Borage- Has lovely cornflower blue star-shaped flowers. Blossoms have a cool, cucumber taste. Wonderful in punches, lemonade, gin and tonics, sorbets, chilled soups, cheese tortas, and dips. Broccoli Florets - The top portion of broccoli is actually flower buds. Given time each will burst into a bright yellow flower, which is why they are called florets. Small yellow flowers have a mild spiciness (mild broccoli flavor), and are delicious in salads or in a stir-fry or steamer. Burnet - The taste usually is likened to that of cucumbers, and burnet can be used interchangeably with borage. Chicken and Chive Pasta Salad
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and cubed 1 lb of pasta (bowties, shells, macaroni, rotini, etc.) cooked and well drained 1 small onion, diced 3 - 4 stalks of celery, diced 1 large handful of chives with blossoms 1/2 - 1 cup of cream or milk 1 - 2 cups of mayo salt and pepper to taste 1. Put about 1/4 of the diced onion and diced celery in a blender. Cut the chives about 2" long and put into the blender. Cut off the flowers and set aside. Pour enough cream or milk into the blender to make it run smoothly. You don't want it soupy. Blend all together until well incorporated. 2. Put the cubed chicken and cooled pasta into a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the chive mixture and the mayo together until well blended. Add enough mayo to coat all the pasta and chicken. Add the pepper and salt. 3. Mix the dressing with the pasta and chicken until well coated. Cut the blossoms at the very top of the stem, but at the base of the flowers. Sprinkle over all the salad. You can keep some blossoms whole and place in the middle of the bowl. The contrast of the delicate purple of the blossoms set against the bright green of the chive dressing is quite beautiful! Jennifer Dewing has experience in the restaurant business. She turned in her chef's hat and donned the many hats of a stay-at-home mother 7 years ago. She is now the mother to 5 children, 7 years and under. She home schools her eldest two children. Her husband is a professional chef and in their house, food is a big part of their family. Come visit her and her family at The Days' Dewings Comments
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