RECIPES OF THE MONTH

Lavender Raspberry Oat Muffins and Lavender Avocados

October 1, 2008 (Valley Center)--Lovely lavender blooms are good for more than sachets!  Try these tempting
recipes, compliments of The Lavender Fields in Valley Center.     

Cooking With Lavender

Lavender
Raspberry Oat Muffins

(makes 12)

Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease and flour 12 muffin cups or line with
papers.

Topping:
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter at room temperature
1
tsp. dried culinary lavender, finely ground
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
1/3 c. firmly packed light brown sugar
1 Tbsp. all purpose flour
In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, flour, butter, lavender and cinnamon
until crumbly.

Muffins:
½ c. rolled oats
½ c. orange juice
½ c. vegetable oil
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 ½ c. all purpose flour
½ c. sugar
2 tsp. dried culinary lavender, finely ground
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
1 c. fresh raspberries (or fresh diced peaches or ½ c. of each)

In a large bowl, mix oats and orange juice. Stir in oil and egg. Add flour,
sugar, lavender, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well. Gently
fold in the fruit.

Spoon into prepared baking cups, filling about two-thirds full. Sprinkle
with the topping.

Bake 18-22 minutes, or until lightly golden. Cool on a wire rack for 10
minutes before removing from the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Grilled Lavender Avocados

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. tequila
¼ tsp. dried culinary lavender, finely ground
1/8 tsp. sea salt
3 avocados

Place butter in small bowl. Beat with wooden spoon until thick
and creamy. Add the lime juice, lemon juice, tequila, lavender, and salt.
Beat until well mixed. Refrigerate until firm.

Preheat grill to medium high.

Halve the avocados, leaving skin on but removing
the pits. Place on grill rack, skin side down, and leave for 4 minutes
to make grill marks. Turn the avocados over and place 1 scant tablespoon
of butter mixture in the hollow of each half.

Grill about 10 minutes or until butter melts and avocado is soft. The avocado
should just bubble around the skin but not be overcooked.

To
purchase culinary lavender or get information on a wide range of lavender products,  contact info@thelavenderfields.com,
call (760)742-1489 or visit www.thelavenderfields.com. 

You can also meet representatives from The Lavender Fields at the new Valley
Center Farmers Market on Thursdays from 3 p.m. until dusk at 28751 Cole Grade
Road, Valley Center (in the parking lot between the upper and lower elementary
schools).