Food for Ninjas

mmm, floral

The ninja who prowls
through a field of lavender
smells like a sock drawer.

– 6th c. haiku

Lavender: not just for your deadly hand soaps and sachets anymore.  The secret of bringing your enemy to their knees is dollops of lavender cream.  Lest you fear bringing shame upon your family for just eating it with a spoon in front of the fridge… ahem… let us create a vehicle for consumption too.

Lavender Cream
1.5 cup heavy cream
3 Tbs honey
1 Tbs dried lavender blossoms (I found them at One World Market, or online)

Combine in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.  Remove from heat, and steep for 30 minutes (or less, depending on your taste).  Strain into a jar, reserving 0.5 cup for scones.  Chill the remaining cream several hours to overnight.  When you’re ready to attack, whip the cream in a cold bowl to desired stiffness.  Apply liberally and often (It also freezes well).

Lemon & Lavender Scones
Combine:
2 cups A.P. flour
1 Tbs baking powder
3 Tbs sugar
0.25 tsp salt
Rub in 6 Tbs of cold unsalted butter until it looks like lumpy sand.

Whisk together:
0.5 cup lavender cream
1 egg
Zest of one lemon
Juice of half the lemon
(I prefer Meyer lemons, if you don’t have any add a little more sugar)

Combine wet and dry ingredients- until it just holds together as a ball of sticky dough.  Turn it out onto a floured surface, and roll to desired thickness.  Cut into the shape of your choice, brush the tops with cream and sprinkle with sugar.  Bake 10-15 minutes, until golden around the edges.

What do I do with the other 1/2 lemon?

this won't hurt a bit...

Lemon Curd
Combine 0.5 c sugar, 3 Tbs flour, 0.5 tsp salt;  whisk in 0.75 cup (Meyer) lemon juice (ok, that’s about 4 lemons. But a true ninja is never without extra lemons).  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Temper 1 egg yolk with lemon mixture, put back on heat and cook for an additional minute or so. Stir in 1 Tbs lemon zest, 1 Tbs butter. Cover and chill.