What a pretty salad we had for lunch, made up of home-grown leaves and herbs, wild strawberries, leftover sausages, potatoes, olives and feta, decorated with Borage and Nasturtium flowers and with a Raspberry vinaigrette/mayonnaise.
Fresh garden salad
A Blogger friend asked the other day if there is any nutrition in the flowers and I discovered the following: “Most edible flowers supply vitamin C, a nutrient that helps stave off infections; violas contain a good dose of potassium, Nasturtiums are another flower source of vitamin C, and contain 10 times more vitamin C than lettuce, according to the “Vineyard Gazette.” Nasturtiums also supply small amounts of vitamin D…….. Nasturtiums also contain lutein and zaexanthin. Both of these compounds can help protect your eyes from age-related disorders. Violets are a source of rutin, which promotes blood vessel health and reduces inflammation.”
https://www.livestrong.com/article/385150-nutritional-value-of-edible-flowers/
We were invited next door for a barbecue this evening so I put some peppers and Halloumi to marinade in lime juice, oil and herbs ready to skewer and roast.
Halloumi and Peppers to barbeque
I also invented a dessert with what I had in and it was truly scrumptious! I layered Raspberries with vanillared creme fraiche and amaretti biscuits crumbled finishing with more crumbs, Blueberries and viola flowers.
Raspberry and Blueberry, Amaretti and Vanilla Creme Fraiche
Susan
July 10, 2018 at 2:17 pm
I want to come eat meals at your house!
mybeautfulthings
July 10, 2018 at 6:17 pm
They aren’t so pretty every day but you would be welcome anyway! 🙂
Arkenaten
July 10, 2018 at 10:40 am
Stunning post. The reference to Nasturtiums: All of the flower leaves and flowers or just the flower?
mybeautfulthings
July 10, 2018 at 10:55 am
You can eat all the parts of a Nasturtium – the leaves are quite peppery so I only use a small amount in the salad. The seed pods, if you allow them to make the pods, can be pickled and used as capers though I haven’t tried that.
To be certain that I wasn’t leading you up the garden path (!) I looked it up again and found this page with lots of ideas that I haven’t tried. However, I think life might be too short to stuff Nasturtium flowers. 🙂
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Nasturtiums-in-Food
Arkenaten
July 10, 2018 at 11:25 am
Just went to the garden and picked half dozen Nasturtium leaves and a couple of flowers and put them on a cheese sandwich for lunch!
mybeautfulthings
July 10, 2018 at 12:20 pm
Hooray! 🙂 Hope you enjoy them.
Arkenaten
July 10, 2018 at 1:29 pm
Very nice. And you’re right, they do have a peppery zing.
I’ve never had success growing lettuce, but the Nasturtiums grow with no effort at all.
The perfect substitute.
And think of all the money I’ll save on pepper!
🙂
utesmile
July 10, 2018 at 6:36 am
That is really interesting your information of the flowers you eat. And they look so nice really on food and make it colourful!
valeriedavies
July 10, 2018 at 12:49 am
Love puddings… and also love amaretti … I always have an un-opened packet in the cupboard fpr emergencies… this pudding sounds scrumptious….
mybeautfulthings
July 10, 2018 at 10:56 am
I do too – the moment a new packet is opened, it goes on the shopping list. Bit of a ‘Threadbare Gourmet’ moment methinks! 🙂
nrhatch
July 9, 2018 at 10:50 pm
I did a quick google too ~> eating edible flowers adds valuable anti-oxidants to our diet AND they are pretty. So are your other two photos!
Heyjude
July 9, 2018 at 10:49 pm
Your food looks so yummy and colourful. Love the skewer idea. Now just need to find some metal skewers, been looking but so far no luck.
mybeautfulthings
July 10, 2018 at 5:49 am
I bet Mallets in Truro will have some! I’ll look for you next time I’m over there. 🙂
Heyjude
July 10, 2018 at 9:18 am
Don’t bother, I have looked them up and I can buy them online! Thank you so much!!
mybeautfulthings
July 10, 2018 at 10:44 am
Pleased to hear that. 🙂
Heyjude
July 10, 2018 at 12:56 pm
I’m very grateful for your help 🙂