|
|
| 1 | Links | Contact Us | Site Map | Advanced Search1 | 1 |
|
In California's Mediterranean climate, just about anything can grow. Most of the flora and fauna from exotic locales thrive in certain California climate zones, and lavender is no exception. It grows in abundance, looks beautiful, smells heavenly and, when used properly, lends an amazing flavor to food. Of course, there are also lavender soaps, balms, sachets, mists, candles and more. Its healing powers are legendary, but have you tasted it? Queen Elizabeth I adored it. Her palace gardeners were required to keep lavender flowers at the ready so her majesty could enjoy lavender conserve and sweet lavender tisane — an herbal infusion of lavender flowers sweetened with honey. In The Cook and the Gardener, food writer Amanda Hesser shares a potent sorbet recipe inspired by Jean-Michel Bouvier, chef/owner of L'Essentiel in Chambéry, France. It does double-duty as a spectacular palate cleanser or refreshing summertime dessert.
Former Hollywood gossip maven, Rona Barrett, gave up dishing the dirt in favor of dishing out lavender. She now presides over a lavender farm and empire in the Santa Ynez Valley. Miss Rona sells potpourris and eye masks, lotions, soaps and facial soufflés, but we're more interested in pouring her Lavender Chocolate Sauce over some vanilla ice cream or eating Lavender Applesauce right out of the jar. You don't have to sit there daydreaming about flowering fields of lavender in Provence because California
is loaded with our fragrant friend. Lavender can be found
from south of Miss Rona through Matanzas Creek Winery
in the Sonoma Valley and beyond. Here are just a few picks of our favorite lavender recipes as well as a healthy assortment of products
for home, bath and personal use.
NAPA
VALLEY
|
|
Rancho
Alegre
Napa
Valley Lavender Co.