Making Rose Water

I have been using rose water in a lot of cakes lately because I love the smell.   And roses signify lasting friendships and relationships so the flavor is the perfect addition to all of the upcoming showers and weddings.

Not sure how to use rose water?  Use it in any recipe that calls for vanilla extract.  Just swap out the vanilla and replace it with the same amount of rose water.  I also love rose water as a tea.  And you can use rose water as a facial toner or spray it on as a perfume in the summer.

You can buy rose water but I find it so much more fun to make my own.  Just be sure that you are using pesticide-free roses!

Rose Water

1 cup dried roses

Place your roses in a glass jar. 

Cover the roses with 2 cups boiling water.

Cover the jar and allow to steep for 30 minutes.

Strain the mixture into a clean jar.

Store the sealed jar in the fridge for up to a week.

Fall In Love With .. Coconut

My latest obsession is, hands-down, coconut.

I came across it in a book of herbal remedies recently and was fascinated by the benefits of coconut.  It seems to be an anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflamatory, as well as having positive impacts on metabolism, blood pressure an blood sugar.

At the same time I noticed that the shelves at Whole Foods were packed with varieties of coconut water.  I wasn't sure if I had  just noticed the trend or if the universe was sending me a sign that it was time for me to check it out.  But I bought some.  And some coconut oil.  And some coconut milk.  And I started cooking with them.

Then I figured, why not try baking with the stuff?  So I made my usual recipe for vanilla cake and vanilla buttercream but instead of milk I used coconut milk and instead of water I used coconut water and I threw in a handful if unsweetened coconut flakes and then topped the whole think with a bit of shredded coconut.

Not sure if I got enough coconut in me to excite my metabolism but I sure did excite my taste buds!