Villa St Benedict's TASTE for May

Last month I wanted to embrace Spring so all of my tastings had something to do with flowers.

The orange blossom drink contained gin, apricot brandy and orange blossom water.

The second dish was the other-other white meat which was braised rabbit with lemongrass and ginger this did not have any flower in the dish but rabbits are known to eat flowers.

The third dish was a spin on a New England lobster roll, I used pretzel rolls and saffron to infuse the mayo with lemon and served it with sweet potato fries.

The fourth dish was homemade cranberry-rosewater frozen yogurt with a chocolate dipped strawberry rolled in popping sugar "it really popped", I filled the plate with some lime jello and a fresh glazed mini cinnamon roll. Both tastes were at full capacity and was a great success.

Taste

In Bloom
“Orange Blossom

Notes of Apricot, Orange and Strawberry
“The Other-Other White Meat”

Flavors of Lemon, Coconut and Ginger
“The Crocus Flower”

A New England Classic with a Twist
“The Rose Bouquet”

Cleanse Your Pallet with Subtle Hints of Rose, Cranberry and Strawberry
Click Read More for the Recipes


Orange Blossom Cocktail 
1oz                Gin
1oz                Apricot Brandy
4oz                Orange Juice
1 TB              Orange Blossom Water

Procedure
1.  In a cocktail shaker mix the Ingredients together
2.  Pour in to Martini Glass with ice
3.  Garnish the glass with an umbrella with sliced strawberry and orange on it
4.  Makes 2 drinks
Pickled Vegetable Slaw
1 ea              Cucumber Julienne the out side
1 lg               Red bell pepper julienne
1 lg              Carrot julienne
1 lg               Red onion julienne
4 lg               Garlic cloves whole peeled
1 ea              Ginger Root about the size of your thumb
1 C                White Vinegar
1 C                Sugar
1 Qt              Water
1 ea               Lemongrass stalk
1 tsp             Whole peppercorn medley in cheese cloth
Procedure
1.       Bring all ingredients to a boil then turn off
2.      Chill overnight in liquid
3.      Strain and season with salt and serve
Saffron-Mayonnaise
1 C                 Mayo
1 pinch           Saffron approx 15 small strands
1 fl oz             Boiling Water
1                      Lemon Juiced and Zested

Procedure

1.       Add the water to the saffron and let steep for 5 minutes
2.      Add the juice and zest to the mayonnaise and stir well
3.      Add the saffron to the mix
4.      Let the mayonnaise sit over night in the cooler to blend the flavors and use the next day