29 June 2015

5 Ways with Rose Water

5 Ways with Rose Water

For many years and in many countries, rose water has been used as a wonderful natural perfume, its gentle floral scent being used to refresh and revitalise.  Its benefits are also widely extolled as a health essential: in its diluted form as a skin toner and as a valued addition to moisturisers and body treatments.

Steenbergs organic rose water is however manufactured solely as a food product and is made from the simple water extraction of Persian Damask Rose blossom.  It reminds Axel of his favourite rose – Rose de Rescht - and its heavenly perfume.

Victoria, of Bois de Jasmin blog, in her post 10 ways to use rose water, suggests indulging in the ultimate of luxury with rose water scented bed sheets.  As much as we love that idea, here we’re going to stick to the foodie benefits of rose water.  We recommend trying it in all sorts of sweet dishes, from custards and creams to fruit salads.  Why not be adventurous too and try it splashed onto savoury salads or a dash in your drink?  Here are 5 recipes you might not have tried…

1. SELF SUFFICIENT CAFE'S ROSE WATER SPARKLE

sparkler1 - self sufficient cafeEarlier this year we sent Jasmine some samples to try out, one of which was our fragrant rose water.  We love this Rose Water Sparkle recipe – lovely and refreshing for the summer.

Ingredients - Serves 1 to 2 people

1 Orange, freshly squeezed

1 Tsp Rose water

½ Tsp Agave nectar

200ml Sparkling water

Method

Mix the first three ingredients together then slowly pour in the sparkling water. Give the sparkler a little stir before pouring into glasses. Enjoy!

2. ROSE WATER SHORTBREAD

A tasty tea-time treat, these crumbly shortbreads, use dried rose petals as well as rose water.  Ideal with a cup of Steenbergs Rose and Bergamot Tea for the full rose experience!

Rosewater Shortbread resized

INGREDIENTS

250g butter

110g caster sugar

360g organic plain flour

1 tsp Steenbergs organic Rosewater

1-2 tsp Steenbergs Rose petals 

Steenbergs organic Fairtrade Rose Sugar for sprinkling

METHOD

Heat the oven to 190oC/375F/Gas 5

In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light in colour

Turn out on to a work surface, and roll until 1.5 cm thick.

Cut into fingers or different shapes, chill in the fridge for 30 mins.

Bake for 10- 12 minutes until golden brown.

Transfer to wire cooling rack and sprinkle with rose sugar.

3. WARM PERSIAN SWEET POTATO & SPINACH SALAD

Steenbergs Sweet Potato & Spinach salad with Rose WaterCreated to go sit alongside a delicious Orange, carrot & pine nut salad with orange blossom and our tasty Dukkah-encrusted lamb cutlets for a Persian feast, this salad would make a moreish lunch on its own.

Ingredients:

1 large sweet potato sliced into rings

2 tins of cannellini beans drained

1 red chilli, de seeded and chopped finely (or use crushed chilli - but sparingly)

1 red pepper finely sliced

1 red onion finely sliced

10/12 mixed cherry tomatoes

1 bag of washed baby spinach

100g baby rocket leaves

salad cress to garnish

200g feta cheese crumbed into small chunks

Steenbergs black pepper to taste

Dressing: 2- 3 tspn Steenbergs Organic Rose water

75 ml organic extra virgin olive oil

2 tspn organic runny honey

Pinch Steenbergs organic perfect salt 

Method

Fry the sweet potato rings gently in a little oil and Steenbergs perfect salt until soft, set aside and keep warm.

Mix the Steenbergs Organic Rose water with the honey and perfect salt and whisk in the olive oil slowly.

Mix salad ingredients together and dress with the Rose water dressing

Serve immediately.

4. DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH ROSE WATER CREAM

Double chocolate cake & vanilla rose creamA wonderful indulgent tea-time cake or dessert, filled with rose water laced cream and sprinkled with rose petals and chocolate shavings.  Definitely in the ‘naughty but very nice’ category!

 Cake Ingredients

225g plain flour

300g caster sugar

50g Steenbergs Fairtrade organic Rose sugar

85g Steenbergs Fairtrade organic Cocoa powder

1½ tsp Steenbergs baking powder

1½ tsp Steenbergs bicarbonate of soda

2 free-range eggs

250ml milk

125ml vegetable oil

1/2 tsp Steenbergs Fairtrade organic vanilla paste

250ml/9fl oz boiling water

Icing Ingredients

200g plain fair trade chocolate

400ml double cream

1/2 tsp Steenbergs organic vanilla paste

3 tsp icing sugar

½ cap of Steenbergs organic Rose water

To decorate

Steenbergs Rose petals

Steenbergs Fairtrade organic chocolate drops

Steenbergs Cocoa nibs

Fairtrade white chocolate

Method

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Grease and line two 20cm/8in sandwich tins.

For the cake, place all of the cake ingredients, except the boiling water, into a large mixing bowl. Using a wooden spoon, or electric whisk, beat the mixture until smooth and well combined. Add the boiling water to the mixture, a little at a time, until smooth.

Divide the cake batter between the sandwich tins and bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the top is firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.  Remove the cakes from the oven and stand for 30 mins, before transferring to a wire rack for 10 mins before attempting to ice them.

For the chocolate icing, melt the chocolate and 200mls of cream together in a saucepan over a low heat. Take the pan off the heat and stir vigorously until smooth, allow to cool.  With the remaining 200ml of double cream, add another 1/2 tsp Steenbergs vanilla paste, a pinch of rose petals and a small dash of Steenbergs Rose water and whisk until soft peaks appear.

5. GEORGE'S FAVOURITE CUP CAKES

jpgBring a summer, garden flavour to your cup cakes and enjoy decorating with rose petals or indulge in the chocolate and rainbow strands cake toppings!

Ingredients

6 oz self-raising flour, sieved

6 oz fairtrade granulated sugar

6 oz soft marg

3 eggs

1 tspn Steenbergs baking powder

1 tspn Steenbergs vanilla extract (optional)

cake cases

For the icing

3 oz butter or marg, softened

6 oz icing sugar (sieved)

1 tbs milk

1 tbsn Steenbergs rose water

Method

Preheat oven to 180oC. Line 12 muffin or Yorkshire Pudding tins with cake cases.

Mix butter, sugar, flour, baking powder and eggs in a food processor for 2 -3 minutes.

Add the vanilla extract and mix.

Divide the mixture between the cake cases. Bake for 20 minutes or until evely golden and springy to the touch of a finger.

Leave for 5 minutes then move to a wire rack to cool.

To make the icing, mix the butter and icing sugar together with the rose water and milk. Add icing sugar to obtain the desired consistency - for spreading or piping.

When the cup cakes are cook, add the icing and then whatever decoration takes your fancy!