Lavender Design + Cuisine

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Plant-Based Recipe: Butternut Squash, Red D’Anjou Pear & Ginger

Tangy Creamy Butternut Squash,

Red D ‘Anjou Pear & Ginger Soup

Pic. 6

Pic. 5

Pic. 4

Pic. 3

Pic. 2

Pic. 1

Greetings Soup Lovers!

Celebrate the season with this nourishing plant-based butternut squash, D'Anjou red pear and ginger soup. Its delightful combination of tangy and creamy flavors makes it the perfect autumn dish.

This recipe features a harmonious blend of sweet roasted pears and butternut squash, pureed to a velvety consistency. The soup is beautifully topped with a textural contrast of pistachios and the finishing touch of extra virgin olive oil, resulting in a sensational flavor. It's amazing!

Ingredients (serving size 4):

2 Cups butternut squash

1 Cup D'anjou red pears
1 Tbsp. Meyer lemon juice & a few Meyer lemon rinds
1 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger
1 Cup oat milk
2 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tbsp. chopped pistachios

1/5 Tsp. sea salt

Instructions:

1. Cut the butternut squash in half, remove seeds, peel skins and chop into small cubes (alternatively you can use store bought frozen cubed butternut squash and thaw them first before roasting).

2. Cut pears in half, remove core and chop into small cubes

3. Toss cubed butternut squash and pear with olive oil, sea salt and roast them at 400 preheated oven for 25 minutes, pic.1

4. Place butternut squash, pears, Meyer lemon juice & rinds and ginger in a food processor, pic. 2 and process until they are pureed, pic. 3

5. Add oath milk, pic. 4 and process again until the mixture is creamy, pic. 5

6. Place soup in a bowl and garnish with chopped pistachios and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, pic 6.

· Enjoy it by itself, or pair it with a light dinner of salad, crusty bread or focaccia.

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

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

The Art of the Curated Space: Elevating Your Sanctuary

Your home is your sanctuary. It is a direct reflection of your inner self. When you mindfully curate inspiring living and working environments, you naturally cultivate clarity, vitality, harmony, and joy.

Let’s take your environment from a dream to a beautifully realized reality together.

Your Personalized 3-Step Curation Plan

Step 1: Space & Vision Assessment: We map out your daily routines, your environments, and your personal lifestyle goals.
Step 2: Mindful Decluttering: We methodically clear away physical chaos to uncover the true aesthetic potential of your rooms.
Step 3: Bespoke Aesthetic Curation: We layer in natural textures, light, and functional beauty tailored exclusively to your soul.

Why Space Curation Matters

Curation is the intentional art of editing your surroundings to enhance how you live, think, and feel. When a room is crowded, disorganized, or stagnant, it creates an invisible weight that drains your energy and blocks your focus.

Mindful decluttering is the foundational step. Removing what no longer serves you allows your home to breathe again. Next, intuitive organization introduces structure and daily ease. Finally, purposeful curation blends function with beauty, creating a balanced space that actively nourishes your mind and soul.

Inspired Kitchen Transformation Story

“Ellie helped us transform our cluttered kitchen into a wonderful gathering and entertaining space! We started by decluttering our fridge, pantry, cabinets, and counters. We cleared out chipped dishes, broken appliances, and expired items. Then, we brought in a container of fresh herbs, wild flowers, and a basket of lemons from our garden, adding instant life and color.
These simple, intentional steps completely transformed our space. We now cook more often and truly enjoy spending time together over meals, and especially for coffee in the morning! Thank you, Ellie, for your practical and creative solutions.”
— Sofia & Marco, Capitola, CA

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

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Lavender Meyer Lemon Madeleines

Valentine’s Day Gift

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and for a thoughtful and sweet present, nothing surpasses the unique charm of homemade, lemon-lavender Madeleines.

Madeleines are classic French tea cakes known for their distinctive shell shape, which is created by baking them in special molds. The cakes were named by Louis XV in honor of Madeleine Paulmier, his father-in-law's cook.

Culinary Lavender Tip: always use high grade organic culinary lavender.

Ingredients: Makes 12 Madeleines

1/2 cup pastry flour
2 Tbsp. almond flour
1/3 cup unsalted plant-based butter
1 Tsp. fresh Meyer lemon juice
1 Tsp. Meyer lemon zest
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tsp. organic culinary lavender (finely chopped)
1/3 cup almond milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Butter and flour the madeleines mold.
3. Melt butter and set aside to cool at room temperature.
4. In a bowl with an electric mixer at high speed beat pastry flour, almond flour, sugar, almond milk, lemon juice and melted butter until the mixture is creamy.
5. Add lemon zest and lavender flowers and beat for additional one minute.
6. Place 1 Tbsp. of the batter into each mold.
7. Bake for 15-17 minutes until madeleines are golden and the tops spring back when gently pressed with your fingertip.
8. Use tip of a perry knife to loosen the madeleines from pan if necessary, transfer them on a cooling rack and set aside to cool for at least 15 minutes before enjoying them.
9. For packaging as gifts, let the madeleines cool for at least one hour.

These delicious madeleines, featuring a delicate infusion of organic culinary lavender and Meyer lemon, are simple to bake. They make a perfect Valentine's Day gift and are wonderful on their own or when dipped in coffee, espresso, or dessert wine.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook