Lavender Design + Cuisine: 2026

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Plant-Based Recipe: Moroccan Rainbow Carrot Ribbon Salad with Pistachio & Citrus-Cardamom Vinaigrette

Moroccan Rainbow Carrot Ribbon Salad

This vibrant Moroccan Rainbow Carrot Ribbon Salad features long, shaved carrot ribbons, a bright aromatic citrus-cardamom vinaigrette and a satisfying crunch from roasted-salty pistachios. The recipe is inspired by Eastern-Mediterranean flavor profiles, utilizing citrus and cardamom to complement the natural sweetness of the carrots.

So, Let’s get started with the recipe!

Prep time: 15-20 minutes

Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients For the Salad:

1 lb. Organic Rainbow Carrots (approx. 4-6 large)
⅓ Cup Roasted-Salted-Shelled Pistachios (roughly chopped)

For the Citrus-Cardamom Dressing:

¼ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tbsp. Fresh Lemon Juice
2 Tbsp. Fresh Orange Juice
1 Tsp. Lemon & Orange Zests
1 Tbsp. Honey or Maple Syrup
1/3 Tsp. Ground Cardamom (or 1/2 tsp crushed cardamom seeds)
1 Small Garlic Clove, grated or finely minced
¼ Tsp. Sea Salt, or to taste

Instructions:

Create the Ribbons: Peel the carrots and remove the ends. Using a vegetable julienne peeler or mandoline, shave the carrots lengthwise into long, thin, paper-thin ribbons.

Make the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, lemon & orange zests, honey, ground cardamom, garlic and sea salt until well combined and emulsified.

Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the carrot ribbons and chopped toasted pistachios.

Dress and Serve: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat. Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the carrots to soften slightly.

Garnish: Top with additional chopped pistachios and herbs before serving. I had a few tiny red biquinho peppers and added those.

Culinary Tips:

Tool: A Y-peeler makes creating long, even ribbons easier.
Color: Use a mix of purple, yellow, and orange carrots to maximize the visual appeal.
Storage: This salad keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days and tastes better as it marinades.
Add-ins: Optionally add feta cheese, pomegranate arils, or thinly sliced red onion for more texture and flavor.

Enjoy! Let me know how you made it and share a picture!

Chef Ellie Lavender
Plant-Based Mediterranean Chef
Culinary & Wine Pairing Instructor
Event Caterer
Lavender Design + Cuisine

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

Monday, February 23, 2026

Spring Renewal: Declutter & Revitalize Your Home

Spring officially begins on Friday, March 20th, bringing a powerful wave of renewal, joy, and new beginnings. This is your moment to chase your boldest dreams! Start by refreshing your energy through a sacred decluttering ritual—deep clean your home to strengthen your spirit and release anything that no longer serves your growth.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Refreshing Your Home:

1. Preparation & Strategy: Boost efficiency by planning your approach. Use the "20/10 rule"—20 minutes of cleaning followed by 10 minutes of rest—to keep energy high and avoid burnout. Tackle one room at a time, moving from top (ceiling fans) to bottom (floors) for the best results. Spread these tasks over a few days to make the process manageable.

2. Intentional Decluttering: Create a more peaceful, functional home by removing excess items to reduce mental stress. Utilize the "Three-Pile Method" (Keep, Donate, Discard) to clear high-traffic areas like drawers and countertops. Give every item a dedicated home to maintain order and purge digital clutter as well.

3. Deep Cleaning Techniques: Revitalize your living space with a top-to-bottom clean. Focus on deep-cleaning the kitchen (appliances, cabinets), eliminating mildew in bathrooms, laundering textiles (linens, mats), cleaning windows, and thorough floor care, including steam cleaning carpets.

4. Eco-Friendly & Safe Solutions: Prioritize a healthy home environment by using natural, non-toxic cleaning methods such as agents like baking soda, white vinegar, and lemon juice to lift dirt and grime

5. Refresh and Revitalize: Bring new life into your home by using invigorating essential oils such as rosemary, lemon, and lavender to boost energy and create a sense of renewal. Add the final, fresh touch by decorating with potted plants or fresh flowers.

6. Streamlined & Manageable Strategy: Transform overwhelming chores into a manageable process by using a room-by-room printable checklist. Stock up on essentials like microfiber cloths, spray bottles, sponges, and a HEPA-filter vacuum to make cleaning efficient and rewarding.

Savor the joy of transforming your space into a sanctuary of positive energy. Sign up for my monthly newsletter for extra tips—just send me an email to subscribe!

Ellie Lavender
Certified Feng Shui Practitioner
Green Interior Designer
Decluttering & Organizing Expert
Lavender Design + Cuisine

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

Monday, February 2, 2026

A Chef's Culinary Journey!

Savory Plant-Based Ragu over

Crispy Polenta Squares

Beyond its surface simplicity, Mediterranean cuisine is a timeless and thrilling paradox of rustic charm and polished elegance. Forged over thousands of years, this vibrant tradition is a direct conversation with the sun-drenched landscape, where the bounty of each season dictates the palate.

My culinary journey began not in a kitchen, but in the garden. From childhood, I was captivated by the raw, vibrant power of the earth’s bounty, learning to taste the sunshine in a perfectly ripe tomato and smell the richness of high-quality olive oil. This simple, true reverence for fresh ingredients became the bedrock of my culinary soul.

Now, as a chef, I honor that foundation with refined technique and a rebellious spirit. I fearlessly fuse classic French precision with hearty Italian tradition, lovingly embrace the intertwining of Moroccan and Spanish cuisines —and my personal signature is the bold, savory punch of capers and olives — and why merely steam when you can unleash the rich, caramelized depth of fire-roasted vegetables.

From French Ragoût to Italian Ragù - A Culinary Evolution: Alberto Alvisi, chef to the Cardinal of Imola near Bologna, created the earliest documented ragù in the late 18th century, adapting it from the French ragoût. This Italian spin on the slow-cooked French stew was famously served with pasta and became a staple of Emilia-Romagna cuisine.

Post photo: Savory Plant-Based Ragu over Crispy Polenta Squares —a combination that is featured in my upcoming cookbook: Lemon, Love and Lavender.

Happy Cooking!

Chef Ellie Lavender

Plant-based Mediterranean Chef

Culinary & Wine Pairing Instructor

Event Caterer

Lavender Design + Cuisine

Taste the World: 2026 Plant-Based Mediterranean Cooking & Wine Pairing Classes

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

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Chef Ellie’s Pantry Staples: Provence Sunshine Finishing Salt & Moroccan Preserved Meyer Lemons

Provence Sunshine Finishing Salt

Moroccan Preserved Meyer Lemons

📣 Exciting Announcement 📣

Starting in January 2026, I will be offering direct delivery of two of my most popular handcrafted culinary creations: Provence Sunshine Finishing Salt and Moroccan Preserved Meyer Lemons. These artisanal staples are ideal for stocking your own kitchen or for finding the perfect culinary gift!

Provence Sunshine Finishing Salt: Versatile, flavorful garden-to-table finishing salt, blending the rustic herbs of Provence with bright lemon and quality sea salt for both sweet and savory dishes, elevating everything from simple tomato-avocado toast to roasted vegetables (including root vegetable like fennel, celery root, beets and much more), salads, frittata, focaccia, pasta salad and on desserts such as chocolate tart & gelato, pear & pistachio tart, strawberry basil tart - offering an authentic taste of the South of France.

Salt Details

Size: 6 oz jar

Ingredients: Organic sea salt, fresh & dried herbes de Provence from my garden and organic Meyer lemon zest

Lifespan: On average, lasts 6+ months depending on use

Price: $25.00

Payment Method: Cash

Delivery: Local Santa Cruz area

Moroccan Preserved Meyer Lemons: Elevate your dishes with this floral and tangy umami flavor Moroccan Preserved Meyer Lemons, handcrafted from organic Meyer lemon and a warm, aromatic Moroccan-spice blend. This flavorful condiment is perfect for enhancing roasted root vegetables, pasta, sautéed greens, pizzas and focaccias, or adding a tangy twist to salads, dips, hummus and cocktails too.

Preserved Details:

Size: 10 oz jar

Ingredients: Organic Meyer lemons, Moroccan spices and sea salt

Lifespan: On average, lasts 6+ months depending on use.

Price: $25.00

Payment Method: Cash

Delivery: Local Santa Cruz area

To order, please email me to arrange local delivery; turnaround time is fast, typically 2-3 days.

Bon Appetite!

Chef Ellie Lavender
Plant-Based Mediterranean Personal Chef
Culinary & Wine Pairing Instructor
Event Caterer
Lavender Design + Cuisine

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

Monday, January 5, 2026

Taste the World: 2026 Plant-Based Mediterranean Cooking & Wine Pairing Classes

Insalata di finocchi e arance rosse

(fennel & blood orange salad)

Greetings Foodies & Wine Lovers,

I’m thrilled to share that in 2026 my focus will be exclusively on private culinary experiences, bringing the vibrant world of farm-to-table, plant-based French, Italian, Spanish, and Moroccan cuisine directly to you!

My popular cooking and wine pairing classes will now be offered exclusively as bespoke, intimate events, ensuring every dish is crafted with organic, seasonal, and locally-sourced ingredients—including herbes de Provence straight from my garden.

Choose the perfect setting for your next gathering:

🔹 Private Team-Building Events: I’m heading back to my old stomping grounds in Silicon Valley to host bespoke, interactive culinary adventures within high-tech companies. A unique way to connect and collaborate over a shared meal!

🔹 Individual & Small Group Classes: Perfect for private parties, special occasions, or a fun gathering of up to 10 people. Elevate your dinner into a memorable group cooking class for friends and family.

The Ultimate Farm-to-Table Experience, Crafted in Your Home!

As your private chef, I handle everything with care: from custom menu creation featuring vibrant Mediterranean flavors to grocery shopping, cooking, and—best of all—cleanup. You simply relax, indulge, and savor high-quality ingredients and fine wine.

Above photo is a peek at my culinary style: My take on the classic insalata di finocchi e arance rosse (fennel blood orange salad) elevates the traditional Sicilian salad with the rich, jewel-toned flavor of blood oranges and the briny depth of Moroccan olives, finished with a fragrant citrus-cardamom vinaigrette.

As an extra perk, all registered students in my classes will receive a one-time 10% discount offer on all items available (including amazing wines) from the best kitchen store, the Toque Blanche in downtown Santa Cruz and online! Discount code will be provided in each class.

Ready for a magnificent culinary journey? Please contact me to book your private experience and begin custom-crafting your menu!

Bon Appetite!

Chef Ellie Lavender
Plant-Based Mediterranean Personal Chef
Culinary & Wine Pairing Instructor
Event Caterer
Lavender Design + Cuisine

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

Friday, January 2, 2026

No-Knead Morello Cherry Walnut Cardamom Bread Recipe!

Morello Cherry Walnut Cardamom Bread

Greetings Gourmet Bread Lovers!

Experience the joy of baking this delicious No-Knead Morello Cherry Walnut Cardamom Bread. Perfect for both seasoned bakers and beginners, this amazing loaf is ready in just one hour. Savor it warm, plain, or dressed up with plant-based butter and orange marmalade.

Personalize this delicious bread with your own label for an unforgettable Valentine's Day gift.

So, let’s get started with the recipe!

Prep time 15-20 minutes | Bake time 55-60 minutes

Ingredients:
2 Cups spelt flour
1 Stick melted plant-based sweet butter at room temperature
1 Cup plain oat milk
2/3 Cup chopped toasted walnut
2/3 Cup dried Morello cherries
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/3 Tsp. ground cardamom
2 Tbsp. orange zest
1/3 Cup freshly squeezed orange juice
¼ Tsp. sea salt

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 F
2. Generously brush a standard loaf pan (8-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches) with melted butter and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl combine all ingredients, except for the melted butter, oat milk and orange juice.
5. In a small bowl whisk oat milk, orange juice and melted butter. Then, pour them over the ingredients in the medium bowl.
6. With a fork, mix all ingredients until well combined and then pour into the greased loaf pan.
7. Put the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes until the top is golden brown.
8. Remove the bread from the oven and transfer on a wire cooling tack for one hour. Then, carefully run a perry knife around the sides of the pan to loosen the bread.
9. Place a cutting board over the pan and turn it over to get the bread out, then gently flip over the bread. Next, slice the bread with a serrated knife and enjoy!

Happy Baking!

Chef Ellie Lavender

Plant-Based Mediterranean Chef

Culinary & Wine Pairing Instructor

Event Caterer

Lavender Design + Cuisine

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