The Herbs of Love

The Herbs of Love

Yes, February is the tail end of winter.  But to spice it up, we often equate it with romance (Valentine's Day doesn't have to be just one day!).  So, the month to me has red hearts and pink roses all over.  To celebrate, I often fix romantic dinners with the hubby throughout the whole of it, as time gives me.  And I try to add the herbs of love to my dishes.  I'll give you an example of one of my meals: a rosemary garlic steak, baked potato, salad and for dessert...ice cream with rose jam syrup!

The first herb we are looking at, Rosemary, has historically been attributed to memory and fidelity.  It was often said, "Rosemary for Remembrance", after all.  Rosemary adds a woody, citrus-like flavor that complements the richness of the meat and you will only need two sprigs.  What would a romantic dinner be without a good steak?  The following website not only shares a great recipe of steak with rosemary, but it also guides you on how to cook your steak to perfection.  Garlic Rosemary Buttered Steak (How to Cook Steaks) - Ginger with Spice

Now for the second herb/flower I mentioned.  Roses.  Back in September of last year, I shared with you on making rose face cream.  If you made some of that, you'll have some organic, dried rose petals left over that you can use to make a delicious Rose Jam.  Otherwise, get you some!  You want the old-fashioned apothecary or damask rose that is fragrant.  This jam has a sweet and fragrant quality of deliciousness and can be preserved.  Traditionally, roses have always meant beauty and perfection, as well as saying "I love you", hence the romantic bouquet of roses given as tokens of love.  The scent of roses has been used to help with grief.  What to use with the jam?  Put it on toast, cakes, muffins, waffles, pancakes, stirred into oatmeal, pudding or warmed and topped on ice cream as a syrup.

This recipe gives you 7 half-pint jars that you can process in a water bath canner (add jam to sterilized jars, wipe rims, add lids with rings and boil 10 minutes and store in a cool dark place).  To make a pourable syrup like for ice-cream, simply heat the jam until liquid.

Dried Rose Petal Jam

• 2 cups dried organic rose petals
• 4 cups sugar
• 2 cups cold water
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 1 envelope liquid pectin

Place the rose petals in a large bowl. In a saucepan, add the dried rose petals and water.  Let steep 4 hours covered. Place on stove. Add the sugar and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved, heating medium heat. Add the lemon juice. Stir often.  Once it comes to boiling, boil about 1 minute. Add the contents of a packet of liquid pectin to the rose petal jam. Return the pan to a boil and boil rapidly for 2 minutes. Test the gel set. Remove the pan from the heat if there is sufficient gel. Next, skim off any foam and discard it. Ladle the hot rose petal jam into 7 clean half-pint jars leaving ¼-inch headspace.