Since we're on the topic of lavender, I figured I might as well throw in another lavender inspired recipe. This one in particular was inspired by A La Minute's chocolate lavender ice cream. Now if it works as an ice cream, why not turn it into a macaron? With a chewy chocolate shell and a lavender infused chocolate ganache, this macaron is nothing short of decadent goodness.
I'm not sure when it happened, but it happened. It hit me with a fervor I can't even begin to describe. The calm and soothing aroma of lavender filled my nose and wrapped me in a blanket of peace and happiness. But it didn't stop there. As soon as that delicate flavor danced across the tip of my tongue, it invaded mind. There it was--I had fallen in love. It developed into somewhat of an obsession, really. I became drawn towards anything and everything that had even the slightest hint of lavender. Just a touch of that floral note and I was sold. From chocolate lavender ice cream to lemon lavender short bread to lavender tea, I could not get enough. My latest discovery was honey lavender ice cream from Carmela, a tiny little ice cream shop in Pasadena. There on a belated Valentine's Day date with my (other) love, I was ecstatic to find that they offered this wonderful flavor and needless to say, I knew it was going to be my next project.
Last month had been a little busy, hence this belated Valentine's day post. The hubby and I were both working on Valentine's day this year, but I was able to whip up a batch of strawberry macarons for the occasion, and of course they were heart shaped! Made with crushed freeze-dried strawberries and filled with rose buttercream, these macarons were a perfect little mini-celebration. We did eventually make it out to Pasadena the following weekend for a day-date and had delicious honey-lavender ice cream at Carmela. The ice cream was so scrumptious that it inspired me to make my own. Click here for my version!
Although I have never been huge fan of oatmeal raisin cookies, I absolutely love cranberry oatmeal cookies. This recipe uses just a hint of orange along with white chocolate chips and pecans for some added depth and texture. Adapted from original recipe from Running with Spoons
Inspired by the classic beet, goat cheese, and walnut salad, this recipe combines these same ingredients to make a savory tart. Much like a quiche, this tart has an egg based filling with a flaky pastry crust that really brings out the beets. What I loved most about this tart was its colors - a beautiful blend of purple from the beets, white from the cheese, and topped with chopped kale for an added touch of green.
