Lavender What?!

I'm sure a lot of people grew up with Country Time Lemonade, the progenitor of a whole class of "just add water" drinks. I always found the flavor a little lacking and the color a bit too unnatural. That's why I'm such a fan of a new twist on an old favorite. It's called lavender lemonade.

The lavender flavor is quite subtle and balances the tangy kick of the lemons. Even better, is that when you mix the lavender water and the lemon juice it turns a nice pink or lavender color. So grab some of this tasty flower at a farmers market or out of your neighbor's lawn (just make sure they didn't spray it, Roundup lemonade isn't too tasty.)

Lavender Lemonade

This drink is the perfect accompaniment to a summer dinner. Don't let the lavender frighten you. If you brew tea then you can brew lavender water. And be sure to serve it over ice it's best very cold.

4 cups water, divided
1/4 cup chopped fresh lavender leaves
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6 lemons)
Lavender stems

Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Combine the boiling water and lavender in a medium bowl; cover and steep 30 minutes. Strain the lavender mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl; discard lavender leaves.

Combine 3 cups water and sugar in saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, and cook 1 minute or until sugar is dissolved. Combine lavender water, sugar syrup, and lemon juice in a pitcher. Cover and chill. Serve over ice. Garnish lemonade with lavender stems, if desired.

Makes 5 cups

Cooking Light, June 2000

It's a dessert! It's a breakfast! No, wait, it's a smoothie!

The past few days in Boston remind me why I tell everyone that Seattle is a horrible place to live...let me explain. It has been in the mid 90's with humidity that gives you a perpetual "I'm standing in a shower" feeling. Now, for anyone who has been to Seattle for an extended period of time in the summer they realize it's quite the utopia; sunny, low humidity, reasonable temperatures. And this is precisely why I tell people it's horrible, because one day I'd love to move back to the city and the last thing I want is demand driving up the cost of housing.

Then again, perhaps I overestimate my ability to influence the urban housing market.

Well, the point of today's post is that in the midst of this special canto of Dante's Inferno that I call Boston summers, I whipped up a fantastic smoothie. The inspiration for this drink was that I wanted something to satisfy my evening sweet tooth but was not the typical summer favorite-- ice cream (I don't want all the dairy and sugar).

How do you like to cool off during the summer? Post a comment and let us know!

Dante's Smoothie

Don't let the name fool you, the blazing hell-fire refers to the weather that inspired this recipe, not the spiciness of the actual drink.

9 ice cubes (approx 1 cup)
1/2 c. apple juice
1/4 c. apple sauce
1/4 c. pineapple
1/3 c. frozen unsweetened strawberries
1 small banana (broken into pieces)
1/4 c. shredded sweetened coconut

Combine all ingredients in blender and blend till smooth...or smoothie.

Makes approximately 2 1/2 cups.