A Guide To Making & Using Candied Flowers In Your Spring Recipes
Everybody loves spring because the weather is warm and everything is decorated with bright blooming flowers. The gorgeous petals we see in nature also make a beautiful accessory in the kitchen.
We are well into spring, but that doesn’t mean we should lose our festive spring spirit. This is the perfect period for spending time outdoors and admiring the picturesque details of nature highlighted by the season.
Flowers are significant icons for the lush season, and we love to incorporate them everywhere during spring. As a result, we’ve put together a guide to making candied flowers and how to use them in your spring recipes.
Identifying Edible Flowers
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Flowers make a great garnish for springtime meals, snacks, and desserts but not all flowers. It is essential to become familiar with edible flowers before incorporating these fragrant florals into your food.
Many people have been using fresh or dried edible flowers to add something interesting to their dishes. This eye-catching ingredient is fun to use, and it is delicious and nutritious, so it is worth trying out.
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The most commonly used edible flowers include violets, dandelions, roses, pansies, hibiscus, and lavender. Other common edible flowers are calendulas, squash blossoms, and Nasturtiums.
One can use the bud, seeds, petals, and leaves of various edible flowers in various dishes. It is essential to do some research on which part of the flower you can consume and how to prepare it for consumption.
How To Make Candied Flowers
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Many people crystalize their edible flowers to preserve their beauty and flavor. We love the concept of candied flowers because they can be stored and used for festive spring dishes when it is a lovely day outside.
For this recipe, you need one large egg white, a teaspoon of water, half a cup of sugar, and two cups of edible flowers. The rest of the recipe is followed by a few simple steps that need some patience.
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First, combine the water and egg white and whisk until a few bubbles appear. Then, working with one flower at a time and a paintbrush, ensure you paint all the petals on the front and the back of the flower.
Once a flower is covered in egg, hold it over a bowl of sugar and sprinkle a thin layer on both sides. Dust off clumps, put the flower on a wire drying rack, smooth out petals where needed, and leave to dry for 4 to 24 hours.
How To Incorporate The Flowers In Spring Recipes
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There are plenty of dishes and treats you can make and incorporate your edible flowers in. These pretty petals have the ability to transform an okay table into a fantastically festive table in so many ways.
Treat your sweet tooth to some gorgeous edible flower embellished chocolate bark, sugar cookies, or angel cake. You can also brighten up your savory dishes like egg salad crostini, spring salads, and open sandwiches.
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Whether you are using your flowers when they are candied or fresh, they make a lovely addition to the dishes above. Try out an edible flower recipe that interests you for your next spring tea or daytime soiree.