Recipe: Lilac Chicken (or Lavender Chicken)

LILAC CHICKEN

"Lavender flowers can be substituted for lilac flowers. The flavor is a bit stronger, so fewer flowers are needed."

1/2 cup lilac flowers, divided use
water
white wine
2 chicken breasts, split and boned (4 pieces of chicken)
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
salt and pepper (to taste)

Place the lilac flowers (reserving 2 tablespoons for garnish) in a large covered frying pan. Add 1 inch of water and 1/2 inch of wine to the pan. Bring to a boil.

Gently place chicken in liquid. Cover and poach over a low heat 4 to 5 minutes. Turn chicken and cook an additional 4 to 5 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove chicken to a warm platter.

Boil to reduce poaching liquid by half. Remove flowers and discard.

In a separate saucepan, make a roux from the butter and flour. Melt the butter, then stir in the flour. Let cook for 5 minutes over a low heat, stirring often to keep it from sticking.

Add the reduced liquid gradually to the roux, continually stirring with a whisk. Cook over a low heat several minutes, or until it reaches the desired thickness. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Spoon sauce on the chicken. Garnish with reserved lilac flowers.

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THE TEN RULES OF EDIBLE FLOWERS

1. Eat flowers only when your are positive they are edible.
2. Just because it is served with food does not mean a flower is edible (see Rule 1).
3. Eat only flowers that have been grown organically.
4. Do not eat flowers from florists, nurseries or garden centers (see Rule 3).
5. If you have hay fever, asthma or allergies, do not eat flowers.
6. Do not eat flowers picked from the side of the road. They are contaminated from car emissions (see Rule 3).
7. Remove pistils and stamens from flowers before eating. Eat only the petals.
8. Not all flowers are edible. Some are poisonous.
9. There are many varieties of any one flower. Flowers taste different when grown in different locations.
10. Introduce flowers into your diet the way you would new foods to a baby - one at a time in small quantities.

Source: Edible Flowers: From Garden to Palate by Cathy Wilkinson Barash