Patsy Bell Hobson is a freelance writer. Read Oh Grow Up! for garden and travel treasures. Her travel adventures can be read around the world at Striped Pot Travel with the world’s best writers. She is counting the days until the next gardening season.
Lana Campbell, the chef andowner of the Garden Bistro, located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, shared this restaurant favorite with me, so I am sharing it with you.
Strawberry Lavender Soup tastes like a special occasion soup. You will have repeat requests for this chilled treat. Serve it on Valentines Day, at garden parties, or for soup and salad luncheons. Serve it with sugar cookies as soup “crackers” and make it your own by adding fresh lavender sprigs as garnish.
Try this fragrant herb in your holiday cooking.
Photo by Patsy Bell Hobson
Make sure you use culinary lavender (chemical-free, dried flower buds). I’ve reduced the quantities of Campbell’s original, restaurant-sized dish.
I hope this recipe inspires you.
Make this creamy cold fruit soup for a special treat.
Photo by Patsy Bell Hobson
The Garden Bistro’s Strawberry Lavender Soup
This recipe is best consumed if made the day before, which will allow the flavors to blend.
• 1 quart fresh strawberries
• 4 cups whipping cream, divided
• 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla
1. Wash and stem your strawberries. Chop or slice them then reserve a few for garnish.
2. Puree berries in the food processor.
3. Add 1/2 cup cream and dried lavender flowers to chopped berries and puree. Chill.
4. In a separate container, blend 3 cups, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla in a food processor.
5. Combine strawberry mixture and cream mixture.
6. Cover and chill.
7. Before serving, add more milk to thin the mixture to a desired soup consistancy. Garnish with a strawberry slice and dallop of whipped cream.
Order this soup at The Garden Bistro.
Photo by Patsy Bell Hobson
THE GARDEN BISTRO
Address: 119 North Main, Eureka Springs, AR 72632
Phone: (479) 253-1281, Website: not yet
Hours: Tea Room style lunches from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m, Thursday through Monday.
Casual fine dining dinners from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., every Thursday through Monday.
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
