This is the time of year fro plums, that voluptuous fruit that is more than a treat , it's a sensual delight. There's nothing like having one as a cool, refreshing as a dessert or even as a snack.
Plums go back as early as 497 BC and were even mentioned in Confucius' writings. They arrived in Europe under the rule of Pompeny the Great and also Alexander the Great brought the fruits back with him fron his Persian exploits. They grew throughout Europe during the Medieval Period. The American colonist discovered the native American kind and over the years Americans have cross bred them with the European genus.
Most US grocery stores sell the red and yellow Japanese kind . There are about eight different varieties from the Casselman to the Santa Rosa .Most back yard plums are the deep purple or blue European kind. The fruit is also being cross bred with apricots to produce the pluot a slightly bigger and juicier plum-apricot hybrid.The fruit is high in vitamins and fiber and makes a good snack for those on diet.
This season try plums. Their sensuous sweet taste is just right for these sultry days.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Summer Weddings
There's nothing like summer weddings. They can be as informal as you like, not only celebrating love but the season in a cozy setting Unlike a Spring , Fall and Winter wedding anything is possible. As with love just follow your heart as to what you want to do.
For some this may be their second or even third (or possibly even fourth) big day. Instead of going all out for a formal affair in an overdone wedding palace, think about a cozy gathering with your favorite foods and people.There's nothing like a down home barbecue, full of ribs and steaks. Kids could have their share of hot dogs and burgers. If you're having a backyard reception, then have family members whip up cherished recipes like a grandmother's cobbler or uncle's potato salad. Preparing your own food also cuts down on expenses. Money that would have gone to a caterer can now go to a more luxurious honeymoon or mortgage payment. Also the meal is made more special and endearing knowing that beloved friends and family contributed to your wedding feast.
If you go with a caterer, stick with someone you know. A lot of small restaurants do catering on the side. They can easily set up a menu with your favorite dishes for a negotiated price. Trays and steam tables will be set up in your back yard or hall for a lot less. Since it is summer the fare will be lighter. Think about seafood such as shrimp and lobster or even grilled or roasted chicken. Make sure that your caterer has plenty of vegetable dishes which digest easier during the hot weather. Avoid pastas and any dish prepared with heavy sauces or gravies.No one wants to get overloaded on a hot ninety degree day.
As far as dessert, of course your cake will be the center of attention. A simple tiered cake with a cascade of real flowers is always a good idea. You can have them match the bridal bouquet. Since a lot of warm weather weddings are beach affairs many couples go for ocean themed cakes. I've recently seen one that was designed like a sandcastle with a starfish bride and groom. The couples names were written in tho sand like icing. If that doesn't float your boat then think about - a boat! A lot of bakeries can do clever motor boats or sloop designs for your cake. Another neat idea is have candy coral and shells instead of flowers decorating the tiers. As far as cake flavors stick with something plain such as vanilla or chocolate. (or embrace the Southern tradition of having a vanilla or lemon bride's cake along with a spice or chocolate groom's cake). For extras think about ice as opposed to ice cream. This is lighter and will also cleanse the palate. Rita's Ice, that great American ice chain has party buckets that you can fill with a variety of flavors. If it's a backyard affair then serve Popsicles to the kids. They'll like them better than the cake anyway. Small dishes filled with cookies on each table is a lovely idea. You can have a tray of cookies next to bowls of fresh fruit. Remember to serve strawberries, and melon for guests who don't want something too sweet or too heavy on a summer's night.
A summer wedding should be light and fun. night. Have your wedding feast reflect this whether you have a good old fashioned down home barbecue or a small catered do in your local hall.
For some this may be their second or even third (or possibly even fourth) big day. Instead of going all out for a formal affair in an overdone wedding palace, think about a cozy gathering with your favorite foods and people.There's nothing like a down home barbecue, full of ribs and steaks. Kids could have their share of hot dogs and burgers. If you're having a backyard reception, then have family members whip up cherished recipes like a grandmother's cobbler or uncle's potato salad. Preparing your own food also cuts down on expenses. Money that would have gone to a caterer can now go to a more luxurious honeymoon or mortgage payment. Also the meal is made more special and endearing knowing that beloved friends and family contributed to your wedding feast.
If you go with a caterer, stick with someone you know. A lot of small restaurants do catering on the side. They can easily set up a menu with your favorite dishes for a negotiated price. Trays and steam tables will be set up in your back yard or hall for a lot less. Since it is summer the fare will be lighter. Think about seafood such as shrimp and lobster or even grilled or roasted chicken. Make sure that your caterer has plenty of vegetable dishes which digest easier during the hot weather. Avoid pastas and any dish prepared with heavy sauces or gravies.No one wants to get overloaded on a hot ninety degree day.
As far as dessert, of course your cake will be the center of attention. A simple tiered cake with a cascade of real flowers is always a good idea. You can have them match the bridal bouquet. Since a lot of warm weather weddings are beach affairs many couples go for ocean themed cakes. I've recently seen one that was designed like a sandcastle with a starfish bride and groom. The couples names were written in tho sand like icing. If that doesn't float your boat then think about - a boat! A lot of bakeries can do clever motor boats or sloop designs for your cake. Another neat idea is have candy coral and shells instead of flowers decorating the tiers. As far as cake flavors stick with something plain such as vanilla or chocolate. (or embrace the Southern tradition of having a vanilla or lemon bride's cake along with a spice or chocolate groom's cake). For extras think about ice as opposed to ice cream. This is lighter and will also cleanse the palate. Rita's Ice, that great American ice chain has party buckets that you can fill with a variety of flavors. If it's a backyard affair then serve Popsicles to the kids. They'll like them better than the cake anyway. Small dishes filled with cookies on each table is a lovely idea. You can have a tray of cookies next to bowls of fresh fruit. Remember to serve strawberries, and melon for guests who don't want something too sweet or too heavy on a summer's night.
A summer wedding should be light and fun. night. Have your wedding feast reflect this whether you have a good old fashioned down home barbecue or a small catered do in your local hall.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Healthy Substitutes
Not too long ago I wrote about being a low fat foodie. Now once more I'll write about it again because instead of losing weight I've ballooned upwards. It is not easy loving tho e wrong food. Like loving the wrong person, it slowly can kill you.
What to do?
Try to eat healthy. Easier said than done,especially when summer is also the season of snacking. It's so easy to go to the boardwalk or state fair and let loose on a lot of fun treats. Keep the junk food frenzy down to a minimum. Share a corn dog or a frozen custard with someone. Split that cotton candy or double loaded chili dog.At these places it's hard to find relatively healthy food. Opt for the candy or caramel apple (well the apple and the nuts and/or coconut covering it aren't bad) or go for ice or lemonade.Avoid anything deep fried like Oreos, Mars bars, and even ice cream. A problem with heading to the Jersey shore is that there are all these great home made candy stores offering hand made treats. Instead of a pound of fudge , go for the quarter pound. At least you'll get the rich chocolate-y taste without one - the large amount of calories , and two - expense. Salt water taffy is only 30 calories a piece so two pieces as a treat won't hurt. There is also the sugar free kind. A lot of candy stores sell lollipops which are another fat free sweet. Go for these as opposed to those rich molasses paddles dipped in milk chocolate.
Sometimes being at home is worse than being out. There's nothing like relaxing under a favorite tree or by the pool with a snack tray at hand. The problem is you've have to say no to the chips, dips and mojitos. Besides anything too salty will make you retain water. Stick with unsalted pretzels, baked potato chips and salsa. As far as a cooling drink, think freshly brewed iced tea or lemonade. Any soda(except diet) will add calories and make you feel bloated. Also stay away from any presweetened teas. These rich drinks surely put on those summertime pounds. Candy is another no no as we all know. It may be an energy booster during these hot days when you feel lethargic. Still there are calories there.Craving sugar? Go for any kind of berry whether straw blue or black. Eat a fresh sliced peach or watermelon to give yourself a lift.
Another summertime treat to avoid are those iced coffees. Yes they're addictive but loaded with fat. If you want an iced one, forgo the mound of whip cream and syrup barristas decorate the drink with. Opt for black (which is delicious)with a lot of ice. If you need one to spike up your energy levels get the carbonated kind.
It's tough being a foodie on a diet but you can do it. I'm struggling as I write this. Luckily I've nixed the Hershey's nuggets for strawberries and a tall ice filled glass of freshly brewed ice tea. If I can do it, then you other foodies out there can do it too.
What to do?
Try to eat healthy. Easier said than done,especially when summer is also the season of snacking. It's so easy to go to the boardwalk or state fair and let loose on a lot of fun treats. Keep the junk food frenzy down to a minimum. Share a corn dog or a frozen custard with someone. Split that cotton candy or double loaded chili dog.At these places it's hard to find relatively healthy food. Opt for the candy or caramel apple (well the apple and the nuts and/or coconut covering it aren't bad) or go for ice or lemonade.Avoid anything deep fried like Oreos, Mars bars, and even ice cream. A problem with heading to the Jersey shore is that there are all these great home made candy stores offering hand made treats. Instead of a pound of fudge , go for the quarter pound. At least you'll get the rich chocolate-y taste without one - the large amount of calories , and two - expense. Salt water taffy is only 30 calories a piece so two pieces as a treat won't hurt. There is also the sugar free kind. A lot of candy stores sell lollipops which are another fat free sweet. Go for these as opposed to those rich molasses paddles dipped in milk chocolate.
Sometimes being at home is worse than being out. There's nothing like relaxing under a favorite tree or by the pool with a snack tray at hand. The problem is you've have to say no to the chips, dips and mojitos. Besides anything too salty will make you retain water. Stick with unsalted pretzels, baked potato chips and salsa. As far as a cooling drink, think freshly brewed iced tea or lemonade. Any soda(except diet) will add calories and make you feel bloated. Also stay away from any presweetened teas. These rich drinks surely put on those summertime pounds. Candy is another no no as we all know. It may be an energy booster during these hot days when you feel lethargic. Still there are calories there.Craving sugar? Go for any kind of berry whether straw blue or black. Eat a fresh sliced peach or watermelon to give yourself a lift.
Another summertime treat to avoid are those iced coffees. Yes they're addictive but loaded with fat. If you want an iced one, forgo the mound of whip cream and syrup barristas decorate the drink with. Opt for black (which is delicious)with a lot of ice. If you need one to spike up your energy levels get the carbonated kind.
It's tough being a foodie on a diet but you can do it. I'm struggling as I write this. Luckily I've nixed the Hershey's nuggets for strawberries and a tall ice filled glass of freshly brewed ice tea. If I can do it, then you other foodies out there can do it too.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
A Forest Treat Blackberries
One of my favorite childhood memories is picking blackberries in the woods behind my house. The area was called the Gully(I guess because there had been a scooped out area made by bulldozers back in the early Fifties. You know I've lived here in the same house all my life and I honestly don’t know why it’s called that). I remember my Mom taking a huge bowl as she , myself,,and handful of neighborhood kids went amongst the little hills and valleys picking this sweet treat(my dad went too , mainly to "chaperone") The brambles don’t exist anymore but I can still get my favorite summer time berry. You can too, at any local store.
The blackberry has been around since ancient times. Blackberry plants or bramble bushes were mentioned in the Bible. The Greeks used it to cure gout while the Romans used it in tea to treat various illnesses. They were popular in Colonial America , being mostly grown in Georgia and what is now present day Alabama. Back then the plants grew up to six feet high and wild. We have the botanist, the great Luther Burbank along with fellow Southern Californian Judge Logan, to thank for our modern day breed. They had bred the berries so they were plump and succulent. They also bred a thornless blackberry bush and also cross bred different blackberries to produce sweeter fruit along with minimal thorns.
Start berry picking if you have the brambles on your property or in nearby woods. Just be careful of the long , almost hypodermic like thorns. These are very sharp and can cause more than just little jabs. You can wind up with some severe tearing and bleeding if you’re not careful. Wear jeans and a long sleeved tee or shirt. Bring along protective gardening gloves if you want to. Don’t wear sandals or flip flops because your feet can also get cut up, Sneakers with white gym socks are your best bet in protecting your feet, no matter how hot it is outside. Also have a large basket or bowl to drop your berries into. Don’t want to go through all that fuss and bother? Your local supermarket also carries them. Look for shiny plump black ones that don’t have a white coating of mold. If they’re bitter tasting just add sugar to balance out the tartness.
You can serve your blackberries with fresh cream, milk or vanilla ice cream. I used to like mine with sugar and milk. You can make blackberry pancakes or muffins with them but they will be a little seedy like strawberries. Crush them with some red or white vinegar to make a blackberry vinaigrette for your summer salads. They can also be added to champagne for an extra kick.
Blackberries are a sweet sign summer is here, To me they represent a part of my childhood full of good taste and sweet flavor . Enjoy them fresh picked from your yard or supermarket.
The blackberry has been around since ancient times. Blackberry plants or bramble bushes were mentioned in the Bible. The Greeks used it to cure gout while the Romans used it in tea to treat various illnesses. They were popular in Colonial America , being mostly grown in Georgia and what is now present day Alabama. Back then the plants grew up to six feet high and wild. We have the botanist, the great Luther Burbank along with fellow Southern Californian Judge Logan, to thank for our modern day breed. They had bred the berries so they were plump and succulent. They also bred a thornless blackberry bush and also cross bred different blackberries to produce sweeter fruit along with minimal thorns.
Start berry picking if you have the brambles on your property or in nearby woods. Just be careful of the long , almost hypodermic like thorns. These are very sharp and can cause more than just little jabs. You can wind up with some severe tearing and bleeding if you’re not careful. Wear jeans and a long sleeved tee or shirt. Bring along protective gardening gloves if you want to. Don’t wear sandals or flip flops because your feet can also get cut up, Sneakers with white gym socks are your best bet in protecting your feet, no matter how hot it is outside. Also have a large basket or bowl to drop your berries into. Don’t want to go through all that fuss and bother? Your local supermarket also carries them. Look for shiny plump black ones that don’t have a white coating of mold. If they’re bitter tasting just add sugar to balance out the tartness.
You can serve your blackberries with fresh cream, milk or vanilla ice cream. I used to like mine with sugar and milk. You can make blackberry pancakes or muffins with them but they will be a little seedy like strawberries. Crush them with some red or white vinegar to make a blackberry vinaigrette for your summer salads. They can also be added to champagne for an extra kick.
Blackberries are a sweet sign summer is here, To me they represent a part of my childhood full of good taste and sweet flavor . Enjoy them fresh picked from your yard or supermarket.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Coffee Break
There's nothing like a good cup of joe. No matter how you have it - as a fancy latte or just a cup of straight black java, it's our security blanket. We can relax with it, take it to the beach or enjoy it with jazz. It's the perfect drink - year round.
I bet a lot of coffee fanatics out there don't their drink's history. Legend has it that around the year 850 AD,an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi noticed his flock becoming friskier after they ate red berries. He too tried them and basically discovered the first caffeine high. Later around the 1100's a the plants spread to the Arabian peninsula where it was refined into a brewed drink. It was called "quahwa" (possibly a variation of the name coffee) By 1475 Turks were enjoying it from coffee houses throughout Constantinople and then in 1600, it reached Venice. This is the start of a still present love affair all Italians have with coffee. Early Americans were drinking, it thanks to Captain John Smith bringing it over. (you've got to wonder if the early colonists had to have their first coffee and tobacco break )Coffee also made it's way to Vienna thanks to the Turks invading it in 1675. The invasion failed but they left behind sacks of java beans. The French were not to be left out. In 1672 the first coffee house opened up in Paris and was regularly served at the French court. Like the Italians, the French still have a passionate love for the stuff.
It is the English however that made coffee a national drink. The first coffee house opened up in 1652 in London. It was there that the word tips were coined, it standing for "to insure proper service". If you wanted a good seat and hot joe, then you had to immediately put coins into a cup to insure service. The great writers of English literature hung out in these hubs of intellectual and philosophical debating. Every great writer from Pepys to Johnson enjoyed sharing their ideas over a good cup of coffee. They bounced everything from barbs to bon mots at each other while downing endless but soothing cups. Thanks to Washington State's contribution to the coffee world , Starbucks, we can relive those coffee house days with our own updated version.
Nowadays there are so many different kinds. What to choose? You can go for the everyday like Chock Full of Nuts which is superb and my favorite to the ultra fancy high end Jamaican and Sumatra blends. To be honest coffee is a matter of taste. What's one man's ambrosia is another man's dish water. Myself I'm pretty much brand loyal, sticking to the pedestrian Chock Full or Dunkin Donuts. They're just as flavorful and rich as any of the fancier kinds such as the Kona or Jamaican Blue Mountain. What makes a good cup of coffee? A rich red hot brew, a little milk and a pinch of sugar. That's all this blog writer needs.(although I do like it iced , like the way my grandparents used to drink it. They were notorious for putting ice cubes in their cups).
Coffee is just a wonderful drink. I'm glad Kaldi noticed those hyperactive goats of his centuries ago. I can't imagine life without java, can you?
I bet a lot of coffee fanatics out there don't their drink's history. Legend has it that around the year 850 AD,an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi noticed his flock becoming friskier after they ate red berries. He too tried them and basically discovered the first caffeine high. Later around the 1100's a the plants spread to the Arabian peninsula where it was refined into a brewed drink. It was called "quahwa" (possibly a variation of the name coffee) By 1475 Turks were enjoying it from coffee houses throughout Constantinople and then in 1600, it reached Venice. This is the start of a still present love affair all Italians have with coffee. Early Americans were drinking, it thanks to Captain John Smith bringing it over. (you've got to wonder if the early colonists had to have their first coffee and tobacco break )Coffee also made it's way to Vienna thanks to the Turks invading it in 1675. The invasion failed but they left behind sacks of java beans. The French were not to be left out. In 1672 the first coffee house opened up in Paris and was regularly served at the French court. Like the Italians, the French still have a passionate love for the stuff.
It is the English however that made coffee a national drink. The first coffee house opened up in 1652 in London. It was there that the word tips were coined, it standing for "to insure proper service". If you wanted a good seat and hot joe, then you had to immediately put coins into a cup to insure service. The great writers of English literature hung out in these hubs of intellectual and philosophical debating. Every great writer from Pepys to Johnson enjoyed sharing their ideas over a good cup of coffee. They bounced everything from barbs to bon mots at each other while downing endless but soothing cups. Thanks to Washington State's contribution to the coffee world , Starbucks, we can relive those coffee house days with our own updated version.
Nowadays there are so many different kinds. What to choose? You can go for the everyday like Chock Full of Nuts which is superb and my favorite to the ultra fancy high end Jamaican and Sumatra blends. To be honest coffee is a matter of taste. What's one man's ambrosia is another man's dish water. Myself I'm pretty much brand loyal, sticking to the pedestrian Chock Full or Dunkin Donuts. They're just as flavorful and rich as any of the fancier kinds such as the Kona or Jamaican Blue Mountain. What makes a good cup of coffee? A rich red hot brew, a little milk and a pinch of sugar. That's all this blog writer needs.(although I do like it iced , like the way my grandparents used to drink it. They were notorious for putting ice cubes in their cups).
Coffee is just a wonderful drink. I'm glad Kaldi noticed those hyperactive goats of his centuries ago. I can't imagine life without java, can you?
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Nature's Cure All - The Blueberry
Ever notice that all the good tasting stuff is usally bad for you?
Surprisingly there is one treat that's not only low in calorie but chock full of antioxidants and vitamins. Yup it's the simple blueberry. This staple of summer is the perfect snack for anyone watching their weight plus it full of the necessary nutrients we all need.
Blueberries are native only to North America but have been grown for commerical use in Australia, New Zealand and South America. The best time for them is between May and September.The Latin name is vaccinium because English settlers, in particular the explorer James Cook ,first saw cows (Latin vacca) eat them. Blueberries also go by the names bilberries, whortleberries and hertleberries. They were used by the indigenous peoples for medicinal as well as for dying cloth. The berries were also combined with meat to provide a jerky.American have been loving them for centuries and it's the official state berry of Maine It was there in 1822 a blueberry rake was invented by Abijah Tabbutt.
Health wise blueberries are the greatest snack ever. They're low in calories ( only 81 a cupful) and are perfect for when you're craving some kind of sweet treat. Always have a little cup of them on your desk when you're working or even have a small bowl of them on the TV table. Not only that but they're super packed with antioxidant phytonutrients. These help protect against cancer and heart disease. Blueberries also lower the risk of glaucoma, peptic ulcers and, yes, even hemorrhoids. They're are good for your vision ,deterring macular degeneration because the fruits' bioflavenoids strengthen the rods in the eyes along with helping the eyes adjust to darkness and glare. During World War II British RAF night flyers always consumed bilberries before their missions . This gave them more acuity during their raids.
It shouldn't be to hard to get your family to eat blueberries on a daily basis. They have a lingering, pleasant aftertaste and they are just fun to pop into your mouth. However you can vary with how you eat them. Add them to salads for something different. There's nothing like blueberry pancakes or muffins to start off a Sunday brunch.They're also good served with sliced strawberries and bananas on top of French toast. Serve piled on top of vanilla ice cream or just plain Cool Whip for a low cal but yummy dessert.
Now is the season to head to your local farm for a quart of these amazing berries. Not only are they delicious snack but a great way to improve your health Start popping them now.
Surprisingly there is one treat that's not only low in calorie but chock full of antioxidants and vitamins. Yup it's the simple blueberry. This staple of summer is the perfect snack for anyone watching their weight plus it full of the necessary nutrients we all need.
Blueberries are native only to North America but have been grown for commerical use in Australia, New Zealand and South America. The best time for them is between May and September.The Latin name is vaccinium because English settlers, in particular the explorer James Cook ,first saw cows (Latin vacca) eat them. Blueberries also go by the names bilberries, whortleberries and hertleberries. They were used by the indigenous peoples for medicinal as well as for dying cloth. The berries were also combined with meat to provide a jerky.American have been loving them for centuries and it's the official state berry of Maine It was there in 1822 a blueberry rake was invented by Abijah Tabbutt.
Health wise blueberries are the greatest snack ever. They're low in calories ( only 81 a cupful) and are perfect for when you're craving some kind of sweet treat. Always have a little cup of them on your desk when you're working or even have a small bowl of them on the TV table. Not only that but they're super packed with antioxidant phytonutrients. These help protect against cancer and heart disease. Blueberries also lower the risk of glaucoma, peptic ulcers and, yes, even hemorrhoids. They're are good for your vision ,deterring macular degeneration because the fruits' bioflavenoids strengthen the rods in the eyes along with helping the eyes adjust to darkness and glare. During World War II British RAF night flyers always consumed bilberries before their missions . This gave them more acuity during their raids.
It shouldn't be to hard to get your family to eat blueberries on a daily basis. They have a lingering, pleasant aftertaste and they are just fun to pop into your mouth. However you can vary with how you eat them. Add them to salads for something different. There's nothing like blueberry pancakes or muffins to start off a Sunday brunch.They're also good served with sliced strawberries and bananas on top of French toast. Serve piled on top of vanilla ice cream or just plain Cool Whip for a low cal but yummy dessert.
Now is the season to head to your local farm for a quart of these amazing berries. Not only are they delicious snack but a great way to improve your health Start popping them now.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Adding Flowers To Your Plate
Everyone appreciates flowers on the table. Let's go it a step and take those blooms out of the centerpiece and onto your plate. Not only do they add elegance but they're also good to eat. Surprisingly a number of flowers are now being seen gracing dinners and desserts.
First of all know what you're picking. The Internet has guides as to which flowers are edible and which are not. For example a good accompaniment to any plate are marigolds, pansies day lilies, sunflowers , clover and lilac. Just because a flower is pretty like the highly poisonous bella donna doesn't mean it's a great addition (although a great way to get rid of that nasty boss or irritating in law). If you're unsure about what you picked - then toss it. Also if anyone has pollen allergies do not serve flowers because there will be some kind of allergic reaction. As with fruits and vegetables don't serve them just picked form the garden . Wash them to get rid of insecticides unless you're just using them as a non-edible decoration,.
When preparing flowers make sure that all dirt and insects are rinsed off. If there are too many bugs it may mean that the blooms are not edible and may be too old to consume. Remember to wash gently with cool water (not lukewarm or warm because it will affect the look) and delicately dry on paper towels.Keep in mind to remove the flowers' reproductive organs because that's where the pollen is. If you're using flowers on cakes or cupcakes, then you can also crystallize them with an egg white and sugar wash( one white and about a tablespoon of sugar well blended or mixed together). Dip or brush the mixture into the wash and let dry.The flowers can be eaten as part of the cake or just separately.
Flowers add a certain grace to the table. Why not add them to your dinner plates and dessert dishes,to complement your cooking or baking masterpiece.It will give your salad or cake an extra dash of elegance.
First of all know what you're picking. The Internet has guides as to which flowers are edible and which are not. For example a good accompaniment to any plate are marigolds, pansies day lilies, sunflowers , clover and lilac. Just because a flower is pretty like the highly poisonous bella donna doesn't mean it's a great addition (although a great way to get rid of that nasty boss or irritating in law). If you're unsure about what you picked - then toss it. Also if anyone has pollen allergies do not serve flowers because there will be some kind of allergic reaction. As with fruits and vegetables don't serve them just picked form the garden . Wash them to get rid of insecticides unless you're just using them as a non-edible decoration,.
When preparing flowers make sure that all dirt and insects are rinsed off. If there are too many bugs it may mean that the blooms are not edible and may be too old to consume. Remember to wash gently with cool water (not lukewarm or warm because it will affect the look) and delicately dry on paper towels.Keep in mind to remove the flowers' reproductive organs because that's where the pollen is. If you're using flowers on cakes or cupcakes, then you can also crystallize them with an egg white and sugar wash( one white and about a tablespoon of sugar well blended or mixed together). Dip or brush the mixture into the wash and let dry.The flowers can be eaten as part of the cake or just separately.
Flowers add a certain grace to the table. Why not add them to your dinner plates and dessert dishes,to complement your cooking or baking masterpiece.It will give your salad or cake an extra dash of elegance.
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