Yakisoba with vegetables, fried noodles served with colourful vegetables Vegetable Yakisoba Shogayaki with mirin, chicken marinated in soy sauce, served with sesame seeds and spring onions Shogayaki with Mirin Achari paneer tikka grilled paneer pieces seasoned in yoghurt marinade, served with fresh coriander and lemon Achari Paneer Tikka Yorkshire pudding with rosemary, served fresh Yorkshire Pudding with Rosemary Fish Vatapá with ginger, with coconut milk and nuts Fish Vatapá with Ginger Classic version of tulumba, soaked in syrup and served fresh Classic Tulumba Prebiotic leek and pumpkin pie, a delicious savoury pie with pumpkin and leek filling Prebiotic leek & pumpkin pie Menestra with broccoli, pasta and vegetables served in a rich sauce Menestra with broccoli and pasta Tinda sabzi, spicy tinda Indian style, served with rich spices and fresh coriander Spiced tinda masala Chocolate Sandesh, sweet Indian dessert, decorated with chocolate and pistachios Chocolate Sandesh Prebiotic leek and curd cheese fritters golden brown, served Prebiotic leek and curd cheese fritters Milanesa napolitana with ham rich cheese tomato sauce and crispy breading Milanesa napolitana with ham Manakish with leeks served with sesame seeds Manakish with leeks Chicken Kabsa, spiced rice garnished with toasted almonds Chicken kabsa Galaktoboureko with kataifi pastry, decorated with rich creamy filling and pistachios. Galaktoboureko with Kataifi Pastry Cheese Dhokla served as golden brown, cheesy pieces with fresh spices Cheese dhokla Gluten-free cannoli pastries served sprinkled with sugar Gluten-free cannoli Prawn Açorda, fresh bread pieces with prawns, garlic and parsley Prawn açorda Avial with sweet potato and coconut milk, fresh coriander Avial with sweet potato Curry dish with yellow ackee fruit and chickpeas Jamaican ackee & chickpea curry Yakisoba with vegetables, fried noodles served with colourful vegetables Vegetable Yakisoba Shogayaki with mirin, chicken marinated in soy sauce, served with sesame seeds and spring onions Shogayaki with Mirin Achari paneer tikka grilled paneer pieces seasoned in yoghurt marinade, served with fresh coriander and lemon Achari Paneer Tikka Yorkshire pudding with rosemary, served fresh Yorkshire Pudding with Rosemary Fish Vatapá with ginger, with coconut milk and nuts Fish Vatapá with Ginger Classic version of tulumba, soaked in syrup and served fresh Classic Tulumba Prebiotic leek and pumpkin pie, a delicious savoury pie with pumpkin and leek filling Prebiotic leek & pumpkin pie Menestra with broccoli, pasta and vegetables served in a rich sauce Menestra with broccoli and pasta Tinda sabzi, spicy tinda Indian style, served with rich spices and fresh coriander Spiced tinda masala Chocolate Sandesh, sweet Indian dessert, decorated with chocolate and pistachios Chocolate Sandesh Prebiotic leek and curd cheese fritters golden brown, served Prebiotic leek and curd cheese fritters Milanesa napolitana with ham rich cheese tomato sauce and crispy breading Milanesa napolitana with ham Manakish with leeks served with sesame seeds Manakish with leeks Chicken Kabsa, spiced rice garnished with toasted almonds Chicken kabsa Galaktoboureko with kataifi pastry, decorated with rich creamy filling and pistachios. Galaktoboureko with Kataifi Pastry Cheese Dhokla served as golden brown, cheesy pieces with fresh spices Cheese dhokla Gluten-free cannoli pastries served sprinkled with sugar Gluten-free cannoli Prawn Açorda, fresh bread pieces with prawns, garlic and parsley Prawn açorda Avial with sweet potato and coconut milk, fresh coriander Avial with sweet potato Curry dish with yellow ackee fruit and chickpeas Jamaican ackee & chickpea curry
Dried and fresh lavender in a bowl and bunch, kitchen setting
Lavender – Edible, Fragrant Herb and Garnish

Lavender: An Aromatic Herb and Natural Soother in the Kitchen

Ingredients Herbs and Spices

Description

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an aromatic flowering herb long utilised for medicinal, calming, and culinary purposes. Edible lavender is primarily popular in French, Mediterranean, and modern dessert cultures. Its dried or fresh flowers are fragrant, with a flavour that is slightly sweet, herbal, and possessed of a gentle floral character.

Its gastronomic use is extensive: holding its own in desserts, teas, honeys, lemonades, and even as a seasoning for savoury dishes. Lavender oil is also known, but for culinary purposes, only edible-grade flowers are recommended.

Culinary Possibilities

  • Desserts: Flavouring muffins, biscuits, ice cream, creams, and chocolates.
  • Beverages: In the form of lavender lemonade, herbal tea, cocktails, or syrups.
  • Savoury Dishes: Mediterranean seasoning for lamb, chicken, or vegetable dishes.
  • Spice Blends: Herbes de Provence, lavender salts, or sugars.
  • Garnish: As decorative petals atop cakes, salads, and drinks.

Storage and Usage

Dried lavender can be kept for months in a tightly sealed jar in a cool, dry place. A small amount suffices due to the intense aroma. When used fresh, it is particularly fragrant and visually striking.

Health Benefits

Lavender has calming, stress-relieving, and anti-inflammatory properties. Consumed as tea, it aids sleep, alleviates anxiety, and improves digestion. Its essential oils—primarily linalool and linalyl acetate—are also effective in aromatherapy.

Summary: Lavender is not merely a fragrant ornamental plant but a valuable and versatile culinary ingredient that naturally enriches flavours and mood alike.

Recipes with this Ingredient

Lavender lemonade served in a glass Drinks

Sparkling lavender lemonade
Lavender cider served in a glass Drinks

Mulled lavender apple cider
Lavender liqueur served in a bottle Drinks

Homemade lavender liqueur
Lavender tea freshly served Drinks

Soothing lavender and lemon tea