For your next summer soirée, pretty-up your food with eyecatching edible flowers. Flowers will not only add a nice pop of color to your dish, they’ll add flavor too. On May 21, you can learn to cook with edible flowers at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township. Go to arboretumfriends.org or call 973.326.7603 to register. Here are some of our favorite edible flowers:
Nasturtium: The bright and peppery-flavored petals are great in homemade bread. Borage: Use these blooms in salad for color and a mild cucumber flavor.
Pansy: These mild, colorful flowers (used fresh or candied) make for a pretty garnish on cakes and cupcakes.
Lavender (pictured): Blend into homemade ice cream for a sweet, floral flavor or sprinkle on as a garnish.
Elderflower: These sweet, delicate white flowers are used in liqueur (St. Germain) but also work as a garnish for your favorite floral cocktail.