[scabs]

Janey's 'herbs' thread has reminded me, I have a bunch of Lavender heads drying in the kitchen - for no other reason that I like the smell - but I have not thought about what to do with them.

I like James Wong's bath balls idea but it's a bit faffy.

Any thoughts?

PS I have tons more if needed. 

[bluelou]

What about lavender pillows to put in linen draws.

Or Lavender biscuits/shortcake. Very nice.

[scabs]

Ooh, I like the shortcake idea. Do you have a recipe?

[Janeymiddlewife]

I'm going to try making bath melts and putting them in petit four cases - you should be able to add lavender to them, or rose petals possibly - although they might go a bit manky!
Also got tonnes of self seeding lavender on my drive shingle!

[scabs]

Can you let me know how that goes?

[Trillium]

Ooh, I like the shortcake idea. Do you have a recipe?

Lavender Sables from Laura Calder's French Food At Home:

Yield: 24
Ingredients

    * 1/2 cup butter
    * 1/2 cup brown sugar
    * 1 egg beaten
    * 1 tablespoon lavender (or a few teaspoons of chopped fresh rosemary)
    * 1-1/2 cups flour
    * 1 teaspoon baking powder


Directions

   1. Heat the oven to 350ºF/180ºC. Cream the butter and sugar together until smooth. Beat in the egg. Stir through the lavender. Sift the flour and baking powder and beat in. Roll balls and flatten on a cookie sheet. (Or, roll into a log, chill in the freezer until firm, slice into rounds, and lay them on the sheet.) Pick the top with the tines of a fork in attractive patterns. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until browned on top and cooked through. Cool on wire racks.

[prikay]

What type of flour should you use?

[scabs]

Fantastic! Thanks Trillium. 

[Janeymiddlewife]

Can you let me know how that goes?

Will do - have just ordered the goods to make lip balm & melts - £20, should make 20 presents

[sunshineband]

You can aslo use some to flavour caster sugar, which then can be used for all sorts. Yummy 

[Trillium]

What type of flour should you use?

Your choice, either sifted all purpose flour or cake flour. I'd use A.P. as it's what I usually have on hand. Don't use whole wheat flour on this as it's just too strong tasting for the lavender.

[scabs]

Busy weekend ahead!

[sunshineband]

and you haven't even got to the chutney making yet 

Suddenly remembered last year 

[bluelou]

Ooh, I like the shortcake idea. Do you have a recipe?

Lavender Shortcake

INGREDIENTS

100g unsalted butter, softened 
50g caster sugar 
100g plain flour 
50g corn flour or rice flour 
grated rind of one lemon 
10 drops Lavender Cooking Essence 
A pinch of dried or fresh lavender flowers 
A little sugar to sprinkle before baking 
 
 INTRODUCTION

A delightful lavender flavoured shortbread, full of summer delight. Serve with Lavender Cordial.
METHOD

 
1. Beat the butter and sugar and lavender essence with an electric whisk until soft and creamy. Work in the flours, lemon rind and lavender flowers. 
2. Press the mixture into a round 20cm/8 inch loose-based cake tin and sprinkle with a little sugar. Bake at 160C/gas 3 for 30-35 minutes until light golden. Mark the cake into 12 wedges and then leave to cool in the tin. Remove very carefully and serve with fresh strawberries and whipped lavender cream. 
 

[scabs]

and you haven't even got to the chutney making yet 

Oh yes I have!