Lavender may be something you're used to seeing in your bed and bath products more often than among your kitchen staples. However, this delightfully aromatic herb has been used for centuries in the cooking of the south of France; generally, the dried blossoms (labeled "lavender buds" flavor sweet dishes, while the dried leaves (simply labeled "lavender") flavor savory foods.

Be sure to crush the dried leaves to release their aromas. Buy dried lavender labeled for culinary use from well-stocked supermarkets, or purchase it online from these websites:

www.amazon.com (Gourmet Food)

www.matanzascreek.com

www.wholespice.com