Earlier this summer we talked about the Sensuous Rose Pedal Sauce. Well, the roses are blooming again, due to some fairly severe pruning after the first bloom last June. If we're lucky, there will be enough for yet another tasty sauce, but if not, it's still wonderful to have some fragrant roses appearing this late in the season.
There are many ways to cook with rose pedals. Here's an easy and delicious way to prepare a spread for morning toast:
Rose Pedal Butter
Take a cup of unsalted butter from the fridge, unwrap it, place the sticks in a glass bowl. Cover the bowl and let sit at room temperature until soft. Harvest several fresh, fragrant roses from your chemical and pesticide free rose bushes. Collect enough to make a packed cup of pedals. Finely chop the pedals, then, using a wooden spoon, mix in with the softened butter. If on hand, add a half teaspoon rose water to the butter / rose mixture.
While still soft, using a floret tip, pipe the butter onto a piece of waxed paper placed on a firm baking sheet or plate, creating little individual servings that resemble flowers. Serve with toast points or warm coffee cake. Place the remaining butter florets in the refrigerator. They will firm up and last for several days.