Cooking With Lavender--Lavender & Orange Scones

Did you know you can cook with essential oils?
Oils add wonderful flavor to foods when used
sparingly. Make sure you use only pure essential oils in your recipes. I've created a fragrant and delicious scone recipe using lavender and sweet orange essential oils, perfect for summer weekends when guests are in the house.

Lavender & Orange Scones
2 Cups cake flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1/4 Cup sugar
1 Drop lavender essential oil
4 Drops sweet orange essential oil
1 1/4 cups heavy cream

In a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and 1/4 cup sugar, stirring with a fork to mix well. Stir in the oils and cream and mix lightly until the dough holds together. Dough will be sticky. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured board and knead 8 or 9 times. Pat the dough into a 10-inch circle.

Melt 3 Tablespoons butter and spread over dough. Combine 2 Tablespoons sugar, 1/2 Teaspoon dried orange peel, and 1 Teaspoon dried lavender buds. Sprinkle over dough. Cut the circle into 12 wedges and place each piece on a baking sheet, allowing 1 inch between pieces. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Makes pure enjoyment for 12 people (or 4 greedy folks!)

Essential Oil Of The Month--Lavender

Lavender's name evolved from the Latin lavare, which means "to wash". Lavender is antifungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. So, it is wonderful to clean your body and your home.

Lavender is an antidepressant and calms you. It enhances sleep, so keep it near your bed.

Lavender blends well with citrus oils, lemongrass, and chamomile.

Put a few drops in unscented liquid soap, bath gel, shampoo, or lotion. You will feel clean and tranquil!

When you purchase an essential oil, make sure it is 100% pure. It is best to store essential oils in amber bottles, away from sunlight and high temperature. The shelf life of an essential oil is 1 year if stored under the correct conditions.

This recipe will keep you feeling fresh in warm weather:

Natural Body Powder

½ cup rice flour
¼ cup cornstarch
Few drops essential oil (lavender works well)

1. Sift dry ingredients together.
2. Add essential oil and blend well.
3. Keep in a plastic bag for two days.
4. Put in powder dispenser and enjoy!

If you would like to incorporate lavender into your life, SoapWerks sells lavender essential oil through our on-line shop: http://www.soapwerks.etsy.com/