Friday, March 5, 2010

Lavender Madeleines


I adore Lavender, even though I have a slight allergy. Well maybe more than slight. My friend Diane once gave me a lavender pillow she had picked up in London. I went to sleep with dreams of Provence dancing through my head, and awoke with clogged and achy sinuses. 
It hasn't stopped me from using Lavender soap, Lavender linen water or rubbing lavender oil onto my temples for a head ache. I'm not sure if it works,  but it does smell heavenly!
While visiting Randy and Mama Watts, we went to Herbs and Spice at Findley Market, where I bought lavender sugar. Which basically consisted of dried lavender flowers in granulated sugar. The ratio was 3 to one, in the lavender flower's favor. When I returned home I added another pound off sugar to the flowers just to stretch them a bit. Just a mere week later I took the lid off the container and found and was assulted with a delightful lavender fragrance. 
The first thing I made was Lavender Madeleines. I was so happy wih these I've decided to make Lavender ice cream and Lavender cup cakes. I'm just going to pile the pounds on! 
I used Ann Willan's Madeleine recipe from her French Regional Cooking. One of my favorite cookbooks.
 
To finish I glazed the small cakes in a lemon glaze and sprinkled them with sugar. I than made a pot of Fortnum and Mason Queen Ann Tea and sat down to a lovely mid afternoon break.
  This is a wonderful recipe and lends well to any flavors your heart desires.

Madeleines 
Ann Willan, French Regional Cooking

120 grams / 3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons flour 
1 teaspoon baking powder
135 grams/ 2/3 cups sugar
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon lavender oil
125 grams/ 1/4 pound unsalted butter, melted

24 medium madeleine moulds
 
Place flour and baking powder in a medium bowl and whisk to blend.
Whisk the eggs and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer until thick and light. Whisk in lavender oil. 
Fold in flour mixture by hand in three batches. When the last batch is almost mixed in, sprinkle the melted butter over the mixture and fold together as lightly as possible. As soon as the butter is added the batter looses volume quickly. 
Chill the batter for 30 minutes until it is stiffer and the butter has hardened.
Preheat the oven to a hot 450 degrees F/ 230 degrees C. 
Thoroughly butter and flour the molds.
Using a large spoon, fill the molds 2/3 full with the batter.
Place in the hot oven and bake for 4 minutes; then reduce the temperature to 400 degrees F/ 200 degrees C. Bake for another 4-6 minutes until golden.
Cool on a wire rack.
 
Lavender Glaze

1 cup confectioner’s sugar
2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
1–2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons dried lavender flowers

 Whisk together the confectioner's sugar and lemon zest. Start mixing in lemon juice by using one tablespoon at first, then continue adding in only enough to produce a smooth, fluid icing.
Dip the cake's tops into the icing, place dipped side up on a wire rack and sprinkle with dried lavender flowers.
All photos and text are property of The Gypsy Chef

19 comments:

  1. Madeleines and lavender....what a beautiful combination...takes me right away to the Provence :-) These look perfect with that glaze, yum delicious I'm sure!!! Look forward to the ice cream and cup cakes - keep it coming Pam!!!! xoxox

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  2. Want to come and have tea with you Pam! I'll bring a bunch of very new daffodils and tell you about a very easy beer and onion soup bread to make in small doses and serve them as apéro and swop more recipes!

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  3. Lovely, Pam! Another use for my lavender! The only lesson I learned was not to use too much or things get very perfumey!
    I love experimenting with madeleines!

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  4. HOw lovely and elegant. I like that you just ignore your allergy and power through...a girl after my own heart. This reminds me, I need madeleine pan. Beautiful little cakes, Pam! Happy weekend to you.

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  5. I made lavender sorbet for the first time last year and loved it. I can't wait to try more lavender things and lavender sugar sounds delightful!

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  6. These are just lovely. I've never baked with lavender before, but I'm very intrigued now.

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  7. I remember giving you that pillow thinking how perfect it would be, and then the bad news! The thought of lavender madeleines can also give sweet dreams, so they are a delicious alternative.

    Thanks!

    Diane

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  8. Lavender- kind of coming back in cooking..

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  9. I just so envy you guys can easily get those dried lavender over there. I can't even find any of these and have no idea how it smell like in baking!

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  10. Neeta, I wish we were in Provence!I think we are due a trip!

    Lynn, wonderful offer! Please come, I would love to have you visit. You have daffodils, I'm envious!

    Barbara, Thanks for the tip!

    HD, Get yourself a madeleine pan. Better yet get a couple they disappear so fast you really need two.

    Pam, Lavender sorbet? I will have to check your log for that recipe.

    Oneordinaryday, Thanks! Lavender sugar is. My daughter stirs it into her tea. Give it a try!

    Diane, You are right, they are a delicious alternative. BTW, I used the pillow in the linen closet!

    Buffalo, it's all cyclical. Don't you think?

    Kristy, Send me your address, I will mail you some. ecooks56@gmail.com

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  11. oh these are looking so lovely and sweet with the lavender. Ive never baked with lavender but I can imagine the wonderful scent that the baking must surely give off. You made them perfect Pam!

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  12. They're beautiful..and I have everything! Thank you..How nice you have Diane's pillow too! I just bought more lavender also:)

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  13. Oh, they look delicious! I have never baked medeleines but must try them. Love the lavender touch; gorgeous photos!

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  14. I love lavender.... and those madeleine pans are wonderful... so very French! Now a little lavender ice cream to go with them, or lavender blueberries... the photos are really great, you keep getting better and better!

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  15. These lavender madelines look beautiful. Love it!!!

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  16. Zurin, The scent was lovely. It really was an escape from the snow and cold. You've got to give it a go.

    Nana, Thank you. The pillow provided a wonderful scent to the linen closet. So it was enjoyed just the same!

    Deena,
    Thanks you! I am also thinking of lavender shortbread cookies. Yum!

    Velva,
    Thanks, They were so delicious!

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  17. Oh, yes. Lavender. In anything, starting with chocolate.

    These are so darling. I love the little flowers sticking to them. Thanks for this recipe!

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  18. Well, poop! This is the third time today that I have looked for one of my comments and not found it. Whazzup with that?

    Anyhow, I love these little gems. What a great idea to put lavender in them!

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  19. Never heard of an allergy to lavender until today; sorry, I am glad you are ignoring it and baking away with it! Lovely madeleines!

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