it’s all about the food | freeze dried rose petals

I usually don’t blog more than once a week, but I needed to share with you a fabulous find … and recipe!  My Ottolenghi’s Meringue Roulade with Rose & Morello Cherries was calling out for sugar-coated (pesticide-free) red rose petals.

If you haven’t already made this recipe, you have the weekend to try it out. Trust me, you will love me for sharing it with you!

I struggled to find pesticide-free petals!!!  Frustrated, yet again, that I was unable to find something I was looking for, until (thankfully your google) I fell across a family run business located in Victoria that produces freeze-dried edible rose petals Simply Rose Petals Family Farm.

Photo | Yotam Edible Red Rose Petals

In a total exciting frenzy, I ordered online and the delivery arrived at my front door the next day (just in time for our dinner party).  They come in just every colour and petals are all they do!  Great for those upcoming weddings!

I don’t think they have much taste, and besides, it was more about the look than the actual taste for me (no less, I did not want to poison our guests).  I did, however, coat a large handful in egg white followed by sugar and roast in a low oven for about 30 minutes.  These did taste amazing (another little sugar rush).

I also purchased a small jar of Freeze-Dried Edible Pansies (see photo below).  While each is freeze-dried, the size and colours remain large and vibrant.

Photo | My Kitchenaid beats egg whites like nothing else

Photo | Morello Cherries (drained and dried off)

Photo | Single Meringue before the cream and roll 

Photo | I love that the double cream has sour cream added! It cuts through the sweetness.  The roll is easier than it appears. You use a sheet of baking paper and gently roll the meringue over into a log

Photo | Sugar Coated Edible Red Rose Petals

Photo | Ottolenghi’s Meringue with Rose & Morello Cherries (2 back to back on a large wooden serving board – serves 12-14 people).  The taste was more about the meringue and the cream than the fruit, which was a refreshing change.

Photo | Freeze Dried Edible Pansies in a Jar – also from Simply Rose Petals Family Farm, Victoria