Day 168 0f 365 06-18-2023 Common Lilac

Lilac can be used in a variety of recipes, here are a couple of my favorite ones.

 

 

Lilac Simple Syrup

 

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

1 cup lilac flowers, stems and green parts removed

5-8 blueberries, for color

Combine the water and sugar over medium heat on the stove like other simple syrups. Heat until dissolved. Add the lilac flowers and simmer for 10 minutes. Add about five blueberries if you want a brightly-hued syrup. Remove from heat, drain through a sieve, and store in a bottle refrigerated.

 

 

Lilac Blossom with cashew Scones

 

3 cups flour, all-purpose

1/3 cup sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled

1 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup toasted, chopped cashews

1 cup lilac flowers

 

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk the ingredients together. Cut the chilled butter into small cubes and toss into the dry mixture. Using your fingers work the butter into the flour mixture until pea-sized lumps of butter are present Add the buttermilk, vanilla extract, chopped cashews, and lilac blossoms. Fold them together in the bowl. Knead the dough by hand, making sure to not overwork it. Gather and roll the dough into a ball. Lightly flour the ball of dough and flatten it out, by hand, into a 1/2-inch thick disk. Cut the dough into triangles and place onto a greased baking sheet. Lightly dust with sugar. Bake 12 to 16 minutes.

Done