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Current Events => The DUmpster => Topic started by: franksolich on May 11, 2012, 08:50:31 PM

Title: pie-and-jam primitive has a heady day in the kitchen
Post by: franksolich on May 11, 2012, 08:50:31 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/11579935

Oh my.

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grasswire (33,744 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

it has been a heady day in the kitchen -- all things LILAC

Having a bumper crop of gorgeous heaven-scented lilacs this year, I set out to look for lilac recipes. Wow. I had no idea that so many temptations existed!

Today I made batches of lilac-infused sugar, to use for shortbread, for dusting, whatever.

And I made three quarts of lilac syrup, for use in beverages and pastries.

And I have six quarts of spring water infusing with lilac overnight, to use in making lilac jelly Friday.

The fragrance has been ...... well, you know.

The other day I took two big bunches of the perfect Persian lilacs to give my two aunties at our Tuesday lunch. And I learned that taking a bunch of fragrant lilacs into the gathering rooms of a retirement center is a way to bring smiles and sighs and expressions of great pleasure. Probably fifty people there wanted to bury their faces deep into the bouquet, to inhale. With lilacs, it seems that part of the allure is the little bitty petals cool on one's cheeks -- almost a caress of late spring.

Tomorrow, more lilacs will be gathered for candying.

Next Tuesday, at luncheon with aunties, I'll take slices of pound cake and little jars of the lilac syrup to drizzle. That should be fun!

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beac (7,518 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

1. Any advice on growing lilac?

I've had NO success starting it from seed and the one plant I bought and tried to grow in a pot never made it past the spindly stage.

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grasswire (33,744 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

3. you might ask that over in the garden forum

I've never grown lilacs from scratch -- they were planted so much in the last century that they just seem to be in every other yard and keep on going forever.

In what area of the country do you live? I suppose they are not desert-loving.

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livetohike (13,107 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

2. Wonderful! I never knew you could do so much with lilacs

Have fun and I'm sure your Aunties will love it

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yellerpup (8,974 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

4. Wonderful!

I love it that you can make so many different food products with lilacs. I bet you have the most romantic smelling house in the USA.

franksolich has no comment.
Title: Re: pie-and-jam primitive has a heady day in the kitchen
Post by: Skul on May 11, 2012, 08:54:41 PM
I always thought they looked like crap after the flowers dropped.  :p
Title: Re: pie-and-jam primitive has a heady day in the kitchen
Post by: IassaFTots on May 11, 2012, 08:57:27 PM
A few years ago, I found some for purchase, cut...I bought all I could because you never find them here.  I would have a lilac bush if I could.  But I don't remember what they look like after they have bloomed, so maybe not.
Title: Re: pie-and-jam primitive has a heady day in the kitchen
Post by: EagleKeeper on May 11, 2012, 09:02:45 PM
"Lilacs are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Copper Underwing, Scalloped Oak and Svensson's Copper Underwing and Saras."

Eat up DUmbasses.

Oh BTW, don't trim these bushes, if you do they don't produce as many flowers.
Title: Re: pie-and-jam primitive has a heady day in the kitchen
Post by: thundley4 on May 11, 2012, 09:07:19 PM
A few years ago, I found some for purchase, cut...I bought all I could because you never find them here.  I would have a lilac bush if I could.  But I don't remember what they look like after they have bloomed, so maybe not.

We're looking for a lilac bush to plant near a bedroom window.  We both like the smell of them, but none of the places here seem to have them in stock, so we might have to order one online.