Are Chamomile Flowers Edible? Exciting Recipes to Try at Home
Often associated with a calming, bedtime brew, chamomile's culinary repertoire extends far beyond just tea. This versatile flower, with its delicate apple-like flavor, can be incorporated into an array of mouth-watering dishes. In this blog post, we're expanding our culinary horizons with chamomile, exploring its role in diverse recipes and answering the question of whether you can cook with chamomile flowers.
The Culinary Potential of Chamomile
With a subtly sweet, slightly fruity flavor profile, reminiscent of apple and complemented by earthy undertones, chamomile effortlessly enhances both sweet and savory dishes. There are two common varieties of chamomile — German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Both varieties can be used in cooking, but German chamomile is often favored for its sweeter notes.
Health-Boosting Benefits of Chamomile
In addition to its delightful flavor, chamomile also packs a healthy punch. Celebrated for its soothing effects, chamomile also aids digestion, promotes better sleep, supports the immune system, and is rich in potent antioxidants. It's even being studied for potential anti-cancer effects. Incorporating this flower into your meals allows you to enjoy these benefits in a delicious way.
Getting Chamomile Recipe-Ready
Preparing chamomile for cooking is quite straightforward. Fresh chamomile flowers can be used as a lovely addition to salads or garnishing desserts, whereas dried chamomile flowers, or even chamomile tea, are perfect for baking, creating infusions, or using as spice rubs for meats.
Choosing between fresh and dried chamomile largely depends on your recipe. Fresh chamomile flowers offer a gentler flavor and can aesthetically elevate salads and dessert garnishes. On the other hand, dried chamomile provides a more concentrated flavor, which is ideal for baking, infusions, and rubs where the chamomile flavor needs to be more pronounced.
Recipes to Make You Fall in Love with Chamomile
To showcase chamomile's culinary prowess, we've hand-picked several innovative recipes. Get ready to explore the delightful flavors this flower brings to your kitchen!
1. Apple and Chamomile Salad
This recipe combines the subtle, sweet flavors of chamomile and apple in a refreshing salad. Toss sliced apples, fresh chamomile flowers, mixed salad greens, and feta cheese together. Drizzle with a chamomile-infused vinaigrette, and you've got a salad that's not only tasty but also visually stunning.
2. Chamomile Honey Shortbread Cookies
These buttery shortbread cookies with a hint of chamomile and honey are the perfect accompaniment for your afternoon tea or coffee. Simply incorporate dried chamomile flowers and honey into your regular shortbread recipe. The result? Cookies that offer a unique, sweet treat that's hard to resist.
3. Roasted Chicken with Chamomile and Honey Glaze
Adding chamomile to a savory dish might seem unusual, but this recipe proves it's a worthy addition. A glaze made with chamomile tea, honey, lemon zest, and garlic gives your regular roasted chicken a new depth of flavor. The chamomile's sweet undertones harmonize beautifully with the honey and lemon, resulting in a mouthwatering main dish.
4. Chamomile-Infused Lemonade
Who said chamomile was only for hot drinks? For a refreshing twist, try this chamomile-infused lemonade. Steep chamomile flowers in hot water, then mix it with freshly squeezed lemon juice and sweetener of your choice. Serve it chilled for a cooling summer drink with an intriguing, soothing undertone.
5. Chamomile Panna Cotta
End your meal on a sweet note with this chamomile panna cotta. The gentle flavor of chamomile beautifully complements the creamy dessert, offering a unique take on a classic Italian dish. It's the perfect dessert to impress your guests at your next dinner party.
Mastering Chamomile in Your Kitchen
Cooking with chamomile can be an adventure. Here are a few tips to ensure you get the best out of this versatile flower:
Chamomile pairs well with fruits like apples, pears, and berries.
Store chamomile in a cool, dark place to preserve its flavor and beneficial properties.
In a pinch, you can substitute chamomile tea for chamomile flowers in recipes.
Chamomile, often overlooked for its culinary potential, deserves a place of honor in your kitchen. From salads and main courses to desserts and refreshing drinks, this versatile flower adds a unique twist to your dishes. So, step away from the teapot and start exploring the exciting culinary world of chamomile.
Excited to try these chamomile-infused recipes? Pick your favorite one and give it a whirl. We'd love to hear about your cooking experience with chamomile, so feel free to share your thoughts and photos in the comments below.
Remember, the kitchen is your playground. Have fun experimenting and discovering new flavors with chamomile!
Step By Step Recipes
1. Apple and Chamomile Salad
Ingredients:
2 large apples, thinly sliced
1 cup fresh chamomile flowers
4 cups mixed salad greens
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon dried chamomile flowers
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
For the vinaigrette, heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the dried chamomile flowers and let them steep for about 10 minutes.
Strain the oil to remove the chamomile flowers and let it cool. Then, mix it with apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper to taste.
In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, fresh chamomile flowers, mixed salad greens, and feta cheese.
Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
2. Chamomile Honey Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat the butter, powdered sugar, and honey until smooth.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, and dried chamomile flowers.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, beating until well combined.
Roll out the dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out cookies using a cookie cutter and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Roasted Chicken with Chamomile and Honey Glaze
Ingredients:
1 whole chicken (around 4 pounds)
Salt and pepper to taste
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers
1/4 cup honey
Zest of 1 lemon
2 garlic cloves, minced
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Rinse the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels. Season the chicken with salt and pepper inside and out.
In a small bowl, combine the butter, dried chamomile flowers, honey, lemon zest, and minced garlic. Rub this mixture all over the chicken, and under the skin where possible.
Place the chicken on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh.
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving. This ensures that all the juices stay inside the chicken, making it moist and flavorful.
4. Chamomile-Infused Lemonade
Ingredients:
6 cups water
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup sugar (or sweetener of choice)
1/2 cup fresh or dried chamomile flowers
Instructions:
Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Remove from heat and add the chamomile flowers. Let them steep for about 10 minutes.
Strain the chamomile-infused water into a large pitcher. Stir in the sugar until it dissolves.
Add the fresh lemon juice and the remaining 3 cups of cold water.
Refrigerate until chilled. Serve over ice, garnished with fresh chamomile flowers if desired.
5. Chamomile Panna Cotta
Ingredients:
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers
1 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
3 tablespoons cold water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
In a medium saucepan, heat the heavy cream, sugar, and dried chamomile flowers over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let the chamomile steep for about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water in a small bowl and let stand for 5 minutes to soften.
Strain the chamomile-infused cream into a clean saucepan and heat it again over medium heat. Add the softened gelatin and stir until it completely dissolves.
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour the mixture into six dessert glasses or ramekins. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until the panna cotta is set.
Serve chilled, garnished with fresh chamomile flowers if desired.
FAQs
Q: What is chamomile?
A: Chamomile is a daisy-like flower that is widely known for its use in making tea. It is an herb that belongs to the Asteraceae family.
Q: Can chamomile be used for culinary purposes?
A: Yes, chamomile flowers can also be used for cooking and baking beyond making tea.
Q: Are chamomile flowers edible?
A: Yes, chamomile is one of the many edible flowers available.
Q: What parts of the chamomile plant are edible?
A: The petals and blooms of the chamomile plant are edible.
Q: Can chamomile be used to make cakes?
A: Yes, chamomile flowers can be used to make cakes and other baked goods for added flavor and decoration.
Q: Can chamomile be used fresh or only dried?
A: Chamomile can be used fresh or dried depending on the recipe. Fresh chamomile can lend a more delicate flavor, while dried chamomile tends to be more intense.
Q: How do you harvest chamomile?
A: Chamomile is typically harvested in the morning when the tiny daisy-like flowers have just opened. Cut the stem just beneath the flower head and gently lay them out to dry.
Q: What are some recipes that use chamomile tea?
A: Chamomile tea can be used to infuse flavor into dishes such as grilled chicken or mixed with honey to make a glaze for salmon.
Q: Can chamomile be grown at home?
A: Yes, chamomile is a fragrant and aromatic addition to any herb garden and grows well in most locations.
Q: Is chamomile poisonous?
A: No, chamomile is not poisonous and is safe for consumption. However, always be sure to properly identify the plant before using it in cooking or baking.
