Saturday, December 23, 2023

Simply Green Vegan Pate Recipe!

Simply Green Vegan Pate

The beauty of making Pate at home is that you can play around with recipes and make one with the ingredients to your liking. I love to use varieties of beans, nuts, greens, fresh herbs and spices when making pate such as this Simply Green Pate packed with plant-based protein and very delicious too!

Perfect as an appetizer, but also as spread on sandwich breads, wraps, paninis and much more!  

So, let’s get started with the recipe.

Ingredients (serving size 4):

1 Cup roasted Tuscan kale 
1 Cup cooked white beans
1/2 Cup toasted unsalted pumpkin seeds
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. Meyer lemon or lemon juice
1 Tsp. Meyer lemon or lemon zest
1/3 Cup green olives
1 garlic clove peeled
1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
1/3 Tsp. ground coriander seeds
1/3 Tsp. cumin
1/3 Tsp. turmeric
1/3 Tsp. sea salt

Instructions:

1. In a food processor add all ingredients and process until the mixture is creamy.
4. Transfer your pate into a bowl, garnish with radishes, olives and anything else to your liking!

Enjoy!

Chef Ellie Lavender
Vegan Mediterranean Personal Chef
Culinary & Wine Pairing Instructor
Event Caterer

Vegan Mediterranean Culinary Services 

 

 Copyright © 2023 Lavender Design + Cuisine, All rights reserved. 





 

Upcoming Cookbook: The Art of Vegan Mediterranean Cooking

Hazelnut Candied Orange Chocolate Tart
(recipe in my upcoming cookbook)

Greeting Lovers of Artisan Vegan Cuisine!  

Super excited to announce that I submitted my completed cookbook: The Art of Vegan Mediterranean Cooking to my awesome publisher on December 5, 2023.

Writing my first cookbook has been a sweet childhood dream of mine, an incredibly amazing journey, and I finally did it, so proud of myself!

My cookbook is written both in English and French, and it includes 100 plant-based recipes of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, desserts, compotes, confitures, marmalades and elixirs. It is designed to inspire plant-based eating through recipes centered around farm-garden-to-table delicious beautiful vegan Mediterranean cuisine (French, Italian, Spanish & Moroccan).

Once I know the availability of my cookbook and its purchase options, I will share them in my monthly newsletter, Instagram and Facebook! 

I can’t wait to get my own copy and of course for you to have it. You’ll love it, so, please stay tuned. 

Chef Ellie Lavender
Vegan Mediterranean Personal Chef
Culinary & Wine Pairing Instructor
Event Caterer

 

Join my network on Facebook & Instagram to receive recipes and information
on upcoming chocolate, culinary & wine pairing classes, and special events! 

 

 Copyright © 2023 Lavender Design + Cuisine, All rights reserved. 

 


 

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

The Art of Cooking & Baking with Culinary Lavender!

Culinary Lavender 

Greetings Lavender Lovers!

Since, I use organic culinary lavender in my recipes, cooking and baking classes, I'm often asked by my culinary students about the difference between lavender flower buds from lavender plants in the garden, nurseries and culinary lavender. 

So, let's get to know this amazing herb!

Origin 

Lavender is believed to be from the Mediterranean, Middle East and India. Its history goes back some 2500 years. Lavender is a flowering plant of the mint family known for its beauty, its sweet floral fragrance and its multiple uses. 

Varieties:

Lavandula Angustifolia, AKA English Lavender is an endemic plant of central and western Mediterranean regions (western & northern Italy, southeastern France and eastern Spain).

Lavandula Latifolia, AKA Lavandula X Intermedia and often referred to as Lavandins. While lavandins are beautiful and smell great there is only one variety commonly used in cooking and baking and that variety is the Provence lavender.  

French Lavender, a hybrid plant and AKA Lavandula x intermedia. If you want the true Provence lavender experience, the best variety to look for it, unsurprisingly, is Provence. It's widely regarded as the best French lavender for culinary uses.

Culinary Consumption:

Cooking with Lavender:  A small amount of lavender goes a long way! Use fresh or dried buds but be cautious! The essence gets stronger and more concentrated as it dries. Use a very small amount or risk infusing the entire dish with bitterness or an oddly soapy flavor. When cooking or baking with dried lavender, use only 1/2 of the amount if the recipe calls for fresh buds. Example: 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh = 1/2 teaspoon dried.

Flavor Pairings with Lavender: Lavender's lovely fragrant flavor beautifully complements a range of sweet and savory culinary creations. Especially, fruits such as strawberry, blueberry,  blackberry, pear, peach, apricot, nectarine, apple, persimmon, lemon, orange, and much more!

Herbes de Provence: Lavender is used in the renowned French savory herb blend, herbes de Provence. Recipes vary but often include marjoram, oregano, basil, savory, rosemary and thyme.

Delicious Ways to Enjoy Lavender: Baked goods, chocolate, fruit syrups and elixirs (perfect with sparkling wine & champagne aperitifs), salad dressings, beurre blanc, ice cream, gelato, tarts, galettes, compote, marmalade, confiture, sorbet, Provencal-style soups, cassoulets, stews and much more!

Tips for using Culinary Lavender: 

Lavender's floral notes beautifully complements berries and citrus in baked goods. Instead of adding small amounts of the actual dried flowers to recipes, try using lavender-infused sugar for enhancing sweet dishes with just the slightest hint of floral goodness. Tone it down by infusing the dried flowers into cream for ganache, whipped cream, crème brûlée and crème anglaise or into simple syrup and elixir for iced tea or a variety of desserts and cocktails.

Lavender is renowned as a culinary herb for its clean, distinctive perfume and matching floral, ever-so-slightly-minty flavor. Culinary Lavender is hand harvested in and is free of any kind of pesticide which makes it perfectly suited for cooking and baking. This beautiful and aromatic edible flower will give your favorite dish an unforgettable taste.

I learned the art of cooking and baking with culinary lavender at a very young age by experimenting with varieties of vegetables, fruits and ingredients! I now use it in many of my culinary creations and love it!

Happy Cooking & Baking with Lavender!

Chef Ellie Lavender
Vegan Mediterranean Personal Chef
Culinary & Wine Pairing Instructor
Event Caterer
LavenderDesign + Cuisine

 

Join my network on Facebook & Instagram to receive recipes and information

on upcoming cooking & wine pairing classes and special events! 

 

 Copyright © 2023 Lavender Design + Cuisine, All rights reserved. 


A Chef's Delicious Journey!

 

Mediterranean Cuisine Vegetables & Herbs

A Chef’s Delicious Journey!

My entry into the culinary world started when I was just seven years old. I announced one day to the surprise of my parents that I was a vegetarian and declared from that day forward that I would be eating only vegetarian food.

Having asked my mom to prepare vegetarian only foods, her reply was: ‘It’s time for you to learn how to cook so that you can make any kind of dish that you like.’ My first dish was Ratatouille–a classic Provençal vegetable stew with capers and olives that originated in the city of Nice. I still make Ratatouille, with a variety of seasonal, organic vegetables and fresh herbs de Provence. It’s an exquisite dish that always tastes like home!

Over the years I’ve developed a culinary niche that is inspired by vegan Mediterranean cuisine made with organic, seasonal, locally-sourced farm fresh produce, ingredients and herbes de Provence from my garden.

Although my journey of cooking and baking began as a child–to this day I still get excited about being in the kitchen. I absolutely love experimenting with recipes and flavors, and creating delicious farm-to-table foods for my personal chef & catering clients, family and friends. For me dishes can only taste as good as the ingredients sourced for them.

Happy Cooking!

Chef Ellie Lavender
Vegan Mediterranean Personal Chef
Culinary & Wine Pairing Instructor
Event Caterer

 

Join my network on Facebook & Instagram to receive recipes and information
on upcoming chocolate, culinary & wine pairing classes, and special events! 

 

 Copyright © 2023 Lavender Design + Cuisine, All rights reserved. 




Monday, August 28, 2023

Roasted Romanesco Steaks with Romesco Sauce Vegan Recipes

Romanesco Steaks with Romesco Sauce

Romanesco Prepped for Roasting 

Romanesco

Romensco, this stunning gorgeous chartreuse color vegetable is just one of many exquisite work of arts in the vast repertoire of magnificent Mother Nature. It’s a cool weather vegetable and in season beginning in the fall, can be grown through the winter and into early spring.

Romensco Story - Romensco originated in the Lazio region of Italy as early as the 15th century. Rome, from which the plant gets its name, is the capital of Lazio. Many botanists believe it was the result of selective breeding by Italian farmers in the 16th century.

Chartreuse Color Story - Chartreuse, appropriately named for its resemblance to the French herbal liqueur Chartreuse (aka an elixir from the French Alps) made by French monks since 1737 using a secret recipe of a blend of 130 different plants and herbs. The name comes from the Grande Chartreuse monastery, located near Grenoble, France. In addition, this gorgeous color represents enthusiasm, happiness, nature and growth.

Romensco is wonderful raw in salads, but also roasted with herbes de Provence, smoked sweet paprika, sea salt and olive oil with savory Romescosauce, which beautifully complements its nutty flavor and sweetness.  

So, let’s get started with the recipe!

Ingredients:
1. One head of medium size romanesco
2. Two tbsp, olive oil
3. One tsp. herbes de Provence
4. A pinch of sea salt
5. A pinch of smoked sweet paprika  

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F
2. Remove all outer leaves from the romanesco.
3. Cut romanesco into 1 inch slices
4. Generously brush both sides of each slice with olive oil, sprinkle of herbes de Provence and sea salt
5. Place sliced romanesco on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
6. Remove roasted romanesco from oven and place on cooling rack for a few minutes and enjoy with Romesco sauce or any other sauce to your linking!

Happy Roasting!

Chef Ellie Lavender
Vegan Mediterranean Personal Chef
Culinary & Wine Pairing Instructor
Event Caterer
Lavender Cuisine

 

Join my network on Facebook & Instagram to receive recipes and information
on upcoming chocolate, culinary & wine pairing classes, and special events! 

 

 Copyright © 2023 Lavender Design + Cuisine, All rights reserved. 

Sunday, July 16, 2023

Gardening Inspires Creativity!

Gardening is all about creativity, and the one significant benefit of this wonderful activity is that it inspires your creativity! 

No matter if you are growing some plants in your backyard or putting together a flower, vegetable or herb garden, you can get creative with everything in the garden.

Moreover, if you have kids, you can also ask them to help you in your garden. They can water the plants, sow new seeds or assist in making garden signs to tell you where you planted certain herbs and vegetables. These all things will encourage their creativity. 

Gardening makes you able to pay your full attention to what you are doing. When you plan everything with your own hands, you take care of that carefully, monitoring all the vegetables and herbs, so you can pick them at the right time. That’s why a lot of people spend hours in their garden to make sure their plants are healthy.

Gardening is one the greatest joy of my life! It inspires my creativity, recipes for my culinary creations, and it just makes me happy! 

Happy Gardening! 

Ellie Lavender 
Certified Feng Shui Practitioner
Interior Designer
Lavender Design + Cuisine

 

 Join my network on Facebook & Instagram to receive Feng Shui & interior design tips and information on upcoming workshops!

Copyright © 2023 Lavender Design + Cuisine, All rights reserved.

Living Room Feng Shui Enhancements!

 

Cozy & Relaxing Living Room

 

 

Finding a sanctuary in our modern world isn't always easy. Many of us work at home, or take work home from the office. Lots of us share spaces with significant others or family members, so turning down the volume of life at home isn't always easy. To create a place to unwind, you must eliminate the stuck energy, otherwise known as clutter, so that your mind and body can feel at ease and fully release the stresses of the day.

 

Living rooms are considered a common space to relax and rejuvenate. Therefore, it should be clutter-free, organized, clean and inviting. You can easily create a place of joy, comfort, relaxation and rejuvenation by applying these very simple and practical Feng Shui enhancements to your living room:

1.     Declutter - Clutter is stuck energy, get rid of it!  Declutter your living room to increase and enhance the flow of positive energy, hence relaxation. Remove all items that only take up space in your living room without adding any value, static pleasure or functionality. There is no need for too many lamps, sofa, chairs, tables, arts, plants, etc., after all, it’s a living room, not a furniture showroom! Plus, less is always more!

2.    Find a good view - If you have a view of your garden, trees and nature, leave your blinds or curtains open to bring that vibrant energy inside. 

3.    Appeal to your senses – Choose colors, fabrics and styles that bring you comfort, joy and happiness.  Avoid busy fabric patterns, they generates unsettling energy!  

4.    Add more nature - Nature is the ultimate relaxation nirvana. Add plants, fresh flowers and bring nature into your living room (keep in mind that balance is the key here, you don’t want to create a garden in your living room). Remove dying and dead plants from your living room and any other areas of your house too. They generate negative energy and not good for your physical health or emotional well-being.

5.    Rearrange your furniture – Furniture are not permanent fixtures and can be easily rearranged. Move them around to increase the flow of positive energy. While you are at it, get rid of cracked and broken furniture, lamps, smelly rugs, etc.

 

6.    Clean Your Living Room – Make a habit to keep your living room clean and that includes windows, shades, lamps, rugs, etc.  

Put your self-love hat on and let go of all the items that have no purpose or benefits being in your living room whatsoever. Just because you have them, it doesn’t mean that you have to use or keep them. Sell, recycle, donate, or gift friends and family if they need or want them.

Lastly, have fun with the process and make a habit of revitalizing your living room at least once or twice a year!

Ellie Lavender 
Certified Feng Shui Practitioner
Interior Designer
Lavender Design + Cuisine

 

 Join my network on Facebook & Instagram to receive Feng Shui & interior design tips and information on upcoming workshops!

 Copyright © 2023 Lavender Design + Cuisine, All rights reserved.


Sunday, July 9, 2023

Savory Garden Herb SOCCA Recipe


Savory Garden Herb SOCCA

Savory Garden Herb SOCCA

Savory Garden Herb SOCCA

Savory Garden Herb SOCCA Baked in Skillet 

Savory Garden Herb SOCCA, a delicious flatbread made with chickpea flour, freshly ground coriander seeds and garnished with Mediterranean herbs and a dash of smoked paprika. 

SOCCA originated in the Genoa region of Italy, where it is known as Farinata and quickly spread in popularity throughout the Ligurian coast of Italy and the Provence region of southern France. It’s also known as Torta di Ceci, Cecina and Panisse de Marseille. It’s baked until nicely browned and crispy on the edges and then served hot cut into wedges. 

It’s a wonderful plant-based and naturally gluten-free Mediterranean appetizer that can be enjoyed with olive tapenade, romesco or marinara sauce, pesto and also as a base for pizza with your favorite sauce and toppings! 

Perfect by itself, but even better with a glass of beautifully aged, medium-bodied fruity red wine. 

So let’s get started with the recipe!

Ingredients

1 Cup chickpea flour 
1 Cup warm water
1/2 Tsp sea salt
1/4 Tsp freshly ground coriander seeds
2 Tbsp olive oil
Smoked paprika 
A handful of garden herbs (I used dill, marjoram, thyme & oregano from my garden)

Equipment
Cast iron skillet

Instructions

1. Mix chickpea flour, sea salt and ground coriander in a bowl. Add 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 cup warm water to the mixture, whisk until well combined and let it rest for 30 minutes. 

2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place the cast iron skillet in the oven for 20 mins. Remove the skillet carefully, grease with olive oil, pour the batter, add your favorite herbs and a dash of smoked paprika. 

3. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are set, and it is golden in color. Remove baked SOCCA from oven and place it on a cooling rack for a few minutes, then transfer it on a cutting board and slice into wedges. You can enjoy the SOCCA by itself, with your favorite condiments, or soup and salad. 

Happy Baking and Enjoy! 

Chef Ellie Lavender
Vegan Mediterranean Personal Chef
Culinary & Wine Pairing Instructor
Event Caterer
Lavender Cuisine

 

Join my network on Facebook & Instagram to receive recipes and information
on upcoming chocolate, culinary & wine pairing classes, and special events! 

 

 Copyright © 2023 Lavender Design + Cuisine, All rights reserved. 



 

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Simple Summer Chickpea Salad with Lemon Garlic Dijon Vinaigrette!



Simple Summer Chickpea Salad

This simple and refreshing Summer Chickpea Salad is full of healthy delicious ingredients! It's perfect for lunch, as a side dish or as a lovely addition to your favorite mixed greens or arugula. You can also add/use other veggies such as red, yellow and orange peppers, scallion or shallot instead of red onion. Just use your culinary imagination and create a colorful, beautiful and delicious salad! 

So let’s get started with the recipes!

Lemon Garlic Dijon Vinaigrette Recipe


Ingredients:
1/4 Cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 Cup fresh lemon juice
1 Tsp. Dijon mustard
1 Garlic clove grated
1/2 Tsp. sea salt

Instructions: In a small jar with tight fitting lid, combine all ingredients and shake well to combine.

Chickpea Salad Recipe (serving size 4)


Ingredients:
3 Cups cooked chickpeas (if you are using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them with water a few times,  then pad dry them with paper towel before adding to the rest of ingredients)
2/3 Cup chopped cucumber (Persian or English cucumbers are the best due to their crispness)
1/2 Cup halved cherry tomato
1/4 Cup diced red onion
1/4 Cup chopped green olives
1/2 Cup fresh oregano, thyme, marjoram, parsley or basil

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, add the lemon garlic Dijon vinaigrette and gently toss them to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

Enjoy!

Chef Ellie Lavender

Vegan Mediterranean Personal Chef
Culinary & Wine Pairing Instructor
Event Caterer
Lavender Cuisine

 

Join my network on Facebook & Instagram to receive recipes and information
on upcoming chocolate, culinary & wine pairing classes, and special events! 

 

 Copyright © 2023 Lavender Design + Cuisine, All rights reserved. 




Friday, May 26, 2023

2023 Vegan Mediterranean Culinary & Wine Pairing Classes!

 

 Vegan Mediterranean Culinary & Wine Pairing Classes 

 

Greetings Foodies & Wine Lovers!

Join me on a wonderful vegan Mediterranean culinary & wine pairing journey to France, Spain, Italy and Morocco - all without venturing far from home. 

My culinary and wine pairing classes are held locally at the beautiful FlipJackRanch in Bonny Doon nestled amongst a redwood forest in the magical Santa Cruz Mountains!

Each class runs for 4 hours and limited to 10 students to ensure the most spectacular experience for all. Since, seats are limited, early registration is highly encouraged, please click here to view my classes and to register now. 

Additionally, all registered students in my classes will receive a one-time 10% discount offer on all culinary, cooking and baking items available in ToqueBlanche kitchen store in downtown Santa Cruz and on their website. Discount code will be provided in the class.

I look forward to seeing you in my fun and delicious classes!

Chef Ellie Lavender
Vegan Mediterranean Personal Chef
Culinary & Wine Pairing Instructor
Event Caterer
Lavender Cuisine

 

Join my network on Facebook Instagram to receive recipes and information
on upcoming workshops, chocolates, culinary & wine pairing classes, and special events!


 
 Copyright © 2023 Lavender Design + Cuisine, All rights reserved.