Eat Your Flowers by Loria Stern is a culinary adventure that combines flavors and aesthetics. Although the title uses the word “Flowers” the book actually includes all botanicals from flowers to roots, stalks, leaves, fruits and seeds. Stern, a chef and artist, aims to inspire readers to see the whole botanical world in a new and delicious way that creates a feast for all the senses. Using both her culinary and artistic talents, she does this with tempting recipes that use botanicals to enhance both flavor and appearance.
The book is divided into two parts . The first includes, directions for pressing flowers, the use of botanical dusts, and a guide to edible botanicals with photographs and information on flavor profile and suggestions for use. The beautiful photographs give a hint of the stunning visual presentation that is to come.
The heart of the book are the recipes featured in its second part. They are arranged by their role in daily meals: breakfast, appetizers and snacks, soups and salads, breads and doughs, vegetables, pasta, grains and rice, hearty mains, meat, poultry and seafood, desserts, and drinks. A final section entitled “The Botanical Pantry” provides recipes for such items as, infusions, pickles, and dressings. Each recipe includes a description, serving size, ingredient list, and step by step directions. Many also include a photograph of the completed dish. Stunning examples include Pea Tendril Pressed Pie, Beet and Goat Cheese Terrine, and Herbal Glass Potato Chips but the the Floral Brownies, Raw Cashew Floral Cheesecake, and Prickly Pear Cocktail are amazing!
Eat Your Flowers bring a unique aesthetic to everyday cooking. Stern shows how incorporating botanicals in daily means can elevate both the taste and presentation of everything from simple salads to elaborate main courses. The wide range of recipes, beautiful photographs, and personable writing style together inspire and encourage experimentation.
To buy Eat Your Flowers from Amazon, click here.