Zen Foodist

I found a discount packet of lavender at World Market and nearly giggled.  I had been looking for the aromatic casually over the past few months with no luck.

That afternoon I made my first batch of lavender cookies.  I took some pictures and I wanted to write about them.  They were so perfectly lavender scented, sweet and light.  I knew it was a time for a blog.

I’ve been traveling non-stop since June 2008, when I traded my cubicle for a less predictable life.  I’ve been taking pictures of food for years, but I’m also an avid cook and trying to learn as much as I can.  I’ve also been studying The Professional Chef on the weekends.  I find that food connects me to where I am, and whether it’s learning how to make the perfect cocido in Madrid or taking notes on a classic pepian in Guatemala, I’m drawn to the process.  I want to learn how to make anything, how things work, the flavors and concepts behind good food.

I’m not a big recipe follower, but here is what I used for my cookies:

• 5/8 cup butter
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoon dried lavender
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup powered sugar (for decoration)
• 1 tablespoon dried lavender (for decoration)

Mix, spoon onto a cookie sheet, cook at 350 F for 15-20 minutes, cool on a rack and sprinkle with powered sugar and lavender.

Enjoy!