Plant-Based Recipe: Tuscan Kale & White Bean Pâté

Tuscan Kale & White Bean Pâté 

Making your own Pâté is an exciting culinary adventure, offering the perfect opportunity to unleash your creativity and customize a dish that’s perfectly tailored to your palate. 

Imagine serving-enjoying a vibrant, earthy Tuscan Kale and White Bean Pâté, a sophisticated starter that’s both healthy and delicious. But the creativity doesn't stop there. The possibilities are endless: experiment with creamy cannellini beans, crunchy toasted walnuts, peppery arugula, fragrant fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary, or a bold pinch of smoked paprika. Every batch can be a new masterpiece, allowing you to fine-tune the texture and flavor profile to your exact desire. 

So, let’s get started with the recipe, which serves 4 people and does not require a specific pâté mold: 

Ingredients:

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

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until the mixture has a slightly coarse, yet creamy, consistency.

2. For a beautiful presentation, transfer your Pâté to a dish and add garnishes like roasted pumpkin seeds, sliced radishes and olives or other toppings to your liking.

Savor this delectable Pâté as an appetizer, or incorporate it to enhance the flavor profile of various dishes such as sandwiches, wraps, paninis, polenta and pasta. 

Bon Appetite! 

Ellie Lavender
Space Curator & Avant Garde Chef
Lavender Design + Cuisine

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

Copyright © 2025 Lavender Design + Cuisine, All rights reserved.

Elevate Your Kitchen: Master the Art of Culinary Lavender

Culinary Lavender 

Ready to turn your kitchen into an avant-garde flavor studio?

Lavender is a celebrated culinary herb that brings a floral, slightly minty taste to the kitchen. It elevates sweet and savory culinary creations with an amazing flavor profile. Discover how easily you can use this vibrant, aromatic herb to make your next baking session or savory dinner shine. 

Essential Culinary Lavender Tips

• Safety First: Only use organic, pesticide-free, culinary-grade lavender.
• Potency Matters: Dried buds are stronger than fresh.
• Conversion: Reduce dried lavender by half (1/2 tsp fresh = 1/4 tsp dried).
• Less is More: Start with a small pinch to avoid a perfume-like taste. 

Best Flavor Pairings

Lavender pairs exceptionally well with:

• Fruits: Lemon, orange, strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, peach, pear, apricot, nectarine, apple, and persimmon.
• Other Flavors: Chocolate, honey, and creamy textures.

Delicious Ways to Use It

• Sweet: Ice cream, gelato, sorbet, tarts, galettes, and baked goods.
• Savory: Provençal-style soups, stews, cassoulets, and beurre blanc.
• Drinks & Extras: Fruit syrups, elixirs for champagne, and salad dressings. 

Happy Cooking and Baking!

Ellie Lavender
Space Curator & Avant Garde Chef
Lavender Design + Cuisine

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

Copyright © 2025 Lavender Design + Cuisine, All rights reserved.

A Chef's Journey: Rooted in Rebellion

 

Mediterranean Cuisine Vegetables & Herbs

My path in the kitchen started with a seven-year-old’s act of rebellion. I announced to my bewildered parents that I was a vegetarian. My mother handed me a life-altering rule: "It’s time for you to learn how to cook so you can create exactly what you want." 

That single moment of defiance led me straight to the soil—and to my very first dish: a classic Ratatouille. It was a vibrant, bold blend of organic seasonal vegetables, capers, and olives. Decades later, I still cook that traditional Provençal stew, using fresh herbes de Provence harvested by hand straight from my own garden. For me, it's a taste that always feels like coming home.

That childhood spark has since evolved into my signature culinary niche: Avant-Garde Mediterranean Gastronomy.

For me, cooking is pure artistic expression. My plates are a soul-infused celebration of organic, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients. I transform these earth-grown treasures into beautiful, soil-to-table food for my personal chef clients, catering events, and family. 

The pure joy of being in the kitchen and playing with ingredients continue to be my inspiration. 

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Curious about bringing this plant-based soul into your own home? Keep an eye out for my upcoming debut book, Lemon, Love and Lavender, dropping in Late 2026! 🍋💜🌿

Happy Cooking!

Ellie Lavender
Space Curator & Avant Garde Chef
Lavender Design + Cuisine

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

Copyright © 2025 Lavender Design + Cuisine, All rights reserved.

Plant-Based Recipe: Romanesco & Romesco

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!

Ellie Lavender
Space Curator & Avant Garde Chef
Lavender Design + Cuisine

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

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

Tips: Revitalize Your Living Room

 

Cozy & Relaxing Living Room

 

5 Simple Feng Shui Tips for a Cozy & Relaxing Living Room

Your living room should be a sanctuary to unwind and rejuvenate. To feel at ease, you must eliminate stuck energy—also known as clutter. Transforming your space into an oasis of comfort is simple with these practical Feng Shui enhancements.

Here are 5 quick ways to revitalize your living room:

• Clear Stuck Energy: Remove items that take up space without adding function or joy. Less is more; your living room should not look like a furniture showroom.
• Maximize Natural Views: Keep blinds or curtains open if you have a view of nature. Bringing the sight of trees and gardens inside invites vibrant, positive energy.
• Soothe Your Senses: Choose colors and fabrics that bring comfort and happiness. Avoid busy fabric patterns, which generate unsettling energy.
• Invite Balanced Nature: Add healthy plants or fresh flowers to create a relaxing environment. Instantly discard dead or dying plants, as they drain your emotional well-being.
• Rearrange and Repair: Move furniture to improve room flow. Toss out or replace cracked items, broken lamps, or smelly rugs that disrupt the peace.

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Tips to Let Go This Weekend

1. Adopt a cleaning habit: Regularly wipe down windows, shades, and lamps to keep energy fresh.
2. Practice self-love: Do not keep items just because you own them. If an object serves no purpose, sell, recycle, donate, or gift it.
3. Set a schedule: Make a habit of deeply revitalizing your living room layout at least twice a year.

Lastly, have fun with the process! 

Ellie Lavender
Space Curator & Avant Garde Chef
Lavender Design + Cuisine

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

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

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 Chickpea Flatbread

This flavorful and crispy chickpea flour flatbread, commonly known as Socca (or Farinata in Italy) is naturally a gluten-free and plant-based Italian appetizer often enjoyed plain or with various toppings. My version incorporates garden fresh herbs, freshly ground coriander seeds, and a hint of smoked paprika for a unique twist. 

You can also enjoy with olive tapenade, romesco or marinara sauce, pesto and also as a base for pizza with your favorite toppings! 

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. 

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! 

Ellie Lavender
Space Curator & Avant Garde Chef
Lavender Design + Cuisine

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

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

Tips: Revitalize Your Dining Room

 

Clutter-Free, Vibrant & Inviting Dining Room 

5 Quick Ways to Revitalize Your Dining Room

The dining room serves as the social center of the home. Whether your style is formal, casual, modern, or traditional, this space brings people together for daily meals, birthdays, and holidays. Revitalizing it improves the room's energy, supports healthy eating, and promotes harmonious family relationships.

Here are 5 cost-effective ways to update your space:

• Remove Non-Dining Items: Clear out paperwork, clutter, and any objects that do not belong in a dedicated dining area.
• Apply Fresh Paint: Add a new coat of paint to instantly lift the room’s energy and brighten the atmosphere.
• Update Key Elements: Swap out outdated light fixtures and replace old rugs to change the entire look of the room.
• Incorporate Natural Decor: Display vibrant artwork and place fresh flowers on the table to invite positive energy.
• Refurbish Your Furniture: Give tired tables and chairs a quick makeover by sanding, staining, or painting them.

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Your Weekend Project Checklist

1. Clear the table: Remove everything that does not support dining or hosting.
2. Pick a color: Select a fresh, inviting paint tone that makes the space feel welcoming.
3. Assess the furniture: Decide if your chairs or table need a quick sanding or a new coat of stain.

Ellie Lavender
Space Curator & Avant Garde Chef
Lavender Design + Cuisine

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

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