Petal to Palate - Savouring Edible Flowers. Flower Power Series Part Five

In this weeks edition of 'In The Garden With Susan' we look at the following flowers:

Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

Flavour Profile: Offers a blend of mint, oregano, and citrus flavors.
Culinary Uses: Used in teas, salads, baked goods, and sauces.
Bee Balm Lemonade: Juice of 6 lemons, sugar, water, bee balm flowers.
Bee Balm Jelly: Bee balm tea, sugar, lemon juice, pectin.
Bee Balm Pesto: Bee balm leaves, olive oil, nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic.
Lemon Bee Balm (Monarda citriodora)

Flavour Profile: Strong citrus scent with a mint undertone.
Culinary Uses: Ideal in herbal teas, salads, baking, marinades, and dressings.
Lemon Bee Balm Cookies
Lemon Bee Balm Syrup
Preservation: Drying, infusing in honey or vinegar.
Lilacs

Flavour Profile: Floral and lemony taste with a hint of bitterness.
Culinary Uses: Flavoring for drinks, desserts, and salads.
Lilac Syrup
Ingredients: 2 cups water, 2 cups sugar, 1 cup lilac flowers (fresh and gently rinsed).
Directions: Boil water and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add lilac flowers, and let steep until the syrup is fully infused and cooled. Strain and store in the refrigerator.
Lilac Sugar Cookies
Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1 egg, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tbsp lilac flowers (chopped).
Directions: Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to the butter mixture. Fold in lilac flowers. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
Lilac Jelly
Ingredients: 3 1/2 cups water, 1/4 cup lilac flowers, juice of one lemon, 4 cups sugar, 1 package (1.75 oz) powdered pectin.
Directions: Boil water and infuse with lilac flowers. Strain and mix lilac water with lemon juice and pectin in a large pot. Bring to a boil, add sugar, and boil for 1-2 minutes. Pour into sterilized jars and seal.
Oregano Flowers

Flavour Profile: Milder and sweeter than oregano leaves.
Culinary Uses: Garnishes, infusions, and baking.
Oregano Flower Vinegar

Ingredients: 1 cup white or apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup fresh oregano flowers.
Directions: Warm the vinegar gently (do not boil). Add the oregano flowers to a clean jar and pour the warm vinegar over them. Seal and let sit for a few weeks in a cool, dark place. Strain before use.
Oregano Flower Compound Butter

Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 tablespoon fresh oregano flowers, finely chopped; 1 clove garlic, minced; salt to taste.
Herbed Oregano Flower Focaccia

Ingredients: Basic focaccia dough, olive oil, coarse salt, 2 tablespoons fresh oregano flowers.
Directions: Prepare your focaccia dough and press into a baking tray. Before the final rise, dimple the dough with your fingers, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with coarse salt and oregano flowers. Bake as directed.
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

Flavour Profile: Mild and slightly sweet to spicy flavor.
Culinary Uses: Garnishes, infusions, and baking.
Sweet Alyssum Infused Honey
Ingredients: 1 cup honey, 1/4 cup sweet alyssum flowers.
Directions: Gently warm the honey without letting it boil. Stir in the sweet alyssum flowers and let infuse for a week, stirring occasionally. Strain the honey and store in a sealed jar.
Sweet Alyssum Lemonade
Ingredients: Juice of 6 lemons, 1 cup sugar, 6 cups water, 1 cup sweet alyssum flowers.
Directions: Mix lemon juice, sugar, and water until the sugar dissolves. Add the sweet alyssum flowers. Refrigerate for several hours, then strain and serve chilled.
Elderflowers (Sambucus nigra)

Flavour Profile: Lightly sweet and floral with notes of lychee, pear, and citrus.
Culinary Uses: Drinks, desserts, and syrups.
Elderflower Cordial
Elderflower Tea
Elderflower and Lemon Cake
You can find Lemon Bee Balm seeds at: https://gardenfaeriebotanicals.ca/product/lemon-bee-balm-seeds/

See you in the garden!!