Lavender Design + Cuisine

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Curated Vibrant Kitchen

Basket of Beautiful Meyer Lemons

Aromatic Fresh Garden Herbs

The kitchen is the heart of the home. Whether it’s doing homework with children or preparing meals, almost everyone (guests included) gather in the kitchen. When the energy in the kitchen is positive, families are more inclined to want to eat at home and will enjoy better health and relationships as a result.

If your kitchen has been stagnant for too long, is burdened with clutter, or needs a serious cleaning, by all means make a point of revitalizing it.

Get Started Today! Apply these 3 simple and practical Feng Shui enhancements to your kitchen and watch your relationships, health, and wealth enhanced in amazing ways:

Tip 1 - Make cleaning a habit to improve health and prosperity. One of the most important things you can do for your kitchen is to keep it clean, clutter-free and organized – and the 3 areas that need it most are the pantry, freezer and the refrigerator. Why? This is where food, a symbol of health and wealth, is stored. Get rid of everything that is completely out of date.

Tip 2 - Clear off countertops to energize your health, hence your life. It sounds counterintuitive, but when you have countertops that are covered with items such as small appliances, dishes, loaves of bread, bags of chips, or stacks of bills, it doesn’t inspire you to cook. On the other hand, when you have a kitchen with clear counters graced with a basket of beautiful lemons and a jar of aromatic fresh herbs, it just makes you feel like cooking.

Tip 3 - Discard damaged items to promote good energy in your foods. Start by decluttering your kitchen cabinets and drawers (one at the time, no need to tackle them all at once, pace yourself, so that you’ll have something to do daily). Hanging onto dented pots, pans and utensils, cracked or chipped dishes, glasses, cups; stained napkins and tablecloths and damaged kitchen appliances such as toaster, mixer, etc., ‘because they’re still good,’ gifts or for sentimental reasons, cause clutter, negative energy, not good for your health and well-being. Discard them all.

Happy Revitalizing Your Kitchen!

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

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

Monday, December 6, 2021

Plant-Based Recipe: Delectable Roasted Fuyu Persimmons

Delectable Roasted Fuyu Persimmons

Pic. 3

Pic. 2

Pic. 1

Fuyu Persimmons

Delight in the sweet flavors of the season with Fuyu persimmons. This non-astringent variety can be enjoyed while firm and delivers a honey-like taste that is both rich and mild. Perfect for adding a festive crunch to salads or desserts like tarts and galettes, they also make a healthy and satisfying snack.

For a surprising and delicious side dish this Thanksgiving, roast some Fuyu persimmons. The addition of warm spices transforms this firm fruit into a soft, delectable treat that everyone will enjoy!

So, let's get started with the recipe!

Ingredients (serving size 4):
4 Medium Fuyu persimmons
1/2 Tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 Tsp. ground cardamom
1/2 Tsp. smoked sweet paprika
1/4 Tsp. sea salt
1/2 Stick melted sweet butter
1 Tbsp. chopped toasted pistachio
A dash of unsweetened cocoa powder

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a bowl mix all the spices and sea salt.
3. Wash, dry persimmons, cut off and discard the tops and bottoms of the persimmons.
4. Slice the persimmons horizontally into ½ inch slices, brush each sides with melted butter, sprinkle each slice generously with the spice mixture and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, pic. 1.
5. Roast them in the oven until the tops of the persimmons turn slightly brown and are tender, about 10-12 minutes, pic. 2.
6. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool for 15 minutes.
7. Arrange them on a platter, garnish with chopped toasted pistachio and a dash of cocoa powder, pic. 3.

Happy Roasting!

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

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Bread Recipe: Savory herbes de Provence & Olive Oil

Savory herbes de Provence Olive Oil Bread

Perfect Crust

Beautiful Bread

Perfectly Baked

Culinary Gift

Experience the joy of baking this No-Knead, aromatic, rustic Herbes de Provence Olive Oil Bread that elevates any meal, from a simple dip with olive oil & fig balsamic vinegar to a complement for hearty soups, fresh salads, and rich pasta or roasted vegetable dishes.

Spread, Pesto & Tapenade: You can also enjoy this delicious bread with a creamy plant-based cheese, olives and radishes (healthy snack), with Savory Artichoke Pesto or Pistou de Roquette (arugula pesto), avocado and tomato (quick lunch), Romesco Spread, Red Pepper & Green Ollive Tapenade and much more.

So, let’s get started with the recipe!

Prep time: 15 minutes

Bake time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

1 Cup cornmeal flour
1 Cup oat, chickpea or millet flour (the combination of cornmeal flour and any of these flours will turn the bread into a wonderful texture)
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 Tsp. sea salt
1/2 Tsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. dried herbes de Provence
1 Tsp. flax seeds
2 Tbsp. pumpkin seeds
1/3 Cup and 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 cup unsweetened oat milk
1 Tbsp. additional pumpkin seeds and 1 tsp. black sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

Get Ready: Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Prep the Pan: Grease a 9 x 5 inch baking pan with 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil and set it aside.

Combine Dry: Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl until well combined.

Add Wet: Pour in the almond milk and olive oil. Mix with a fork until you have a very thick, pourable batter.

Pour & Spread: Transfer the batter to the greased pan and smooth the top evenly.

Add Toppings: Sprinkle pumpkin seeds and black sesame seeds over the top.

Bake: Bake for 45 minutes until golden brown and baked through.

Cool Down: Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes.

Remove & Slice: Run a knife around the edges to loosen the bread, then flip the pan upside down to pop it out.

Enjoy: Slice the bread on a cutting board and serve.

This wonderful bread, when paired with your own personalized packaging and labels and a jar of any of the spread, pesto and tapenade mentioned above makes for delightful and delicious culinary gifts.

Happy Baking!