lavender

Lavender Mint Tea Cookies

 

Now that we have profiled both lavender and mint for gardening, I wanted to offer the recipe for these tender little cookies.

– Linda Nelson

Lavender Mint Tea Cookies

Ingredients:

1/4 cup vegan butter (check out the easy recipe on our website)
1/4 cup canola oil
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 tablespoons mint leaves, finely chopped
2 1/2 teaspoons culinary grade lavender (you can dry your own or purchase it)
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt.

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

In a large bowl or a stand mixer cream together the vegan butter and oil. Add the powdered sugar in 1/2 cup portions so it doesn’t fly, and beat the mixture until smooth and airy.

Add lime juice, vanilla, chopped mint, and lavender, and mix until all is incorporated.

Sift in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, and mix until smooth. Drop by the tablespoon onto a parchment or silpat-lined cookie sheet, and bake for 11 to 13 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.

Transfer to a rack to cool. Enjoy!

Adapted from Cheers to Vegan Sweets by Kelly Peloza.

Advertisement

Plant Profile: Lavender

http://instagram.com/p/pGoD0JAc42/?modal=true

Triangle Chance for All loves plants, too! We will be featuring a number of our vegetative residents at the Microsanctuary to help inspire you to grow more of your own plant-based foods. Our first featured edible plant is LAVENDER.

Lavender is one of our favorite herbs to have around the yard and the house. Both its flowers and leaves can be used in cooking, and it has medicinal properties as well. It has traditionally been used to soothe the nervous and digestive systems, whether by consuming it, using it on the skin, or through aromatherapy (see more about its uses at http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-838-LAVENDER.aspx?activeIngredientId=838&activeIngredientName=LAVENDER).

Lavender is also a beautiful plant that is relatively easy to grow in well-drained, sunny spots. It comes in a variety of types, each with its own different color, ranging from a deep dark purple to white! We have had good luck with it being deer resistant so far.

Here are a couple of fun ways to use lavender in your kitchen.

Lavender Lemonade: http://www.skinnylimits.com/lavender-lemonade/

Lady Grey Muffins: http://sunberrybaking.com/2013/06/19/vegan-recipe-shares-lady-grey-muffins/

How do you use lavender?