[Ninja Baker] Lavender Ladies

[Ninja Baker]

Lavender Ladies: Sounds like an English rock group, right? Actually the moniker refers to the washing women of the Renaissance. The ladies scented the laundry by drying drawers and such on lavender bushes. 

Queen Elizabeth I, in fact, insisted on the presence of the plant year round. (Not an easy task in chill prone England.) Like her subjects, the royal may have wanted lavender around as protection.  Especially during the plague.

Many believed in the protective powers of lavender given its association with Christianity’s master teacher. The Good Book is chock full of references to spikenard – the ancient name for lavender. Apparently baby Jesus’ swaddling clothes were imbued with the essence. And to quote the King James Bible (John 12:3): “Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” 

Another mighty religious figure, Saint Hildegard of Germany 
(a mystic nun, writer and composer) allegedly recommended – 
“a decoction of vodka, gin or brandy mixed with lavender for migraine headaches.” 

Centuries later, the plant is still used to heal all kinds of ailments. If you need proof, peruse the shelves of your nearest Whole Foods.

The lovely color and scent have also ensured the popularity of the plant. Yardley and Company, Crabtree & Evelyn among others sell tubs of lavender infused soaps and colognes. Fun fact: Both Queen Elizabeth I and the current QEII were and are fans of Yardley and Co. of London.

In earlier times, lavender concoctions were predominantly consumed by blue bloods due to the prohibitive costs. Concomitantly, only those of the higher classes were allowed to adorn themselves in purply garments. All things purple, it seems, were reserved for the rich. This was true not only in England, but also Japan. Only those of the samurai warrior class were allowed lavender hued kimono.

Thank goodness for those who have challenged the mores of society. For instance, during Japan’s Heian Period, a noble father (in the literal and figurative sense) taught his daughter the three Rs. In an era where females were delegated to delivering green tea and babies (preferably boys), this was a bold move.  And the result was fabulous. Taking cover under a pseudonym, in approximately 1000 BC, the nobleman’s daughter produced “Not only the world’s first real novel, but one of its greatest.” (As declared by Professor Emeritus of Japanese Literature at Columbia University, Donald Keene.) The young woman’s pen name? Lady Murasaki. (Purple in Japanese. )  

Lady Murasaki’s Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji) took readers on a scintillating behind-the-scenes tour of the Japanese imperial court. The book is filled with the secret intrigues of the powerful. Before any E! Entertainment Arnie S. and Andy W exposé, there was Lady Murasaki.   

If you’re in the mood for a naughty novel written with a poetic accent, pick up a copy of The Tale of Genji.  The book’s pages evoke the senses: Blossoming  chrysanthemum scents, scenes of fiery Japanese maple leaves, and ladies lamenting their foolish behavior with playboys like Genji on their shamisen. (A Japanese guitar like instrument.) 

While savoring Lady Murasaki’s novel, why not add to the sensual adventure with a mini chocolate cupcake topped with lavender or green tea whipped cream swirled on top.

(For the pictured cupcakes I used Martha Stewart's German Chocolate recipe.)

Lavender/Green Tea Whipped Cream

The lavender and green tea toppings are super simple Ninja Baker concoctions. Note: As with all heavy cream whipping, remember to freeze your bowl and beaters before use.

The purply step requires one extra pan.

Bring approximately ¾ cup of milk with a generous teaspoon and a half of dried lavender to a boil.

Steep for 10 minutes.

Strain out the lavender.

Cool the milk completely.

To a half pint or so of whipped cream add:

¼ cup of powdered sugar

Lavender milk (cooled)

Purple food coloring (recommend Betty Crocker’s purple gel…other brands advertise violet and produce pale rose colors)

To the other half pint or so of whipped cream add:

¼ cup of powdered sugar 
    Matcha (fine green tea powder) 

    Mix in a tablespoon at a time until you find the taste you prefer.

Marukai, Nijiya and Mitsuwa markets in LA sell matcha. Purchasing the powder from an Asian outlet will save you beaucoup bucks. Believe me. In the middle of filling a three layer chocolate cake with green tea whipping cream, I ran out of matcha. The price tag of making an emergency sprint to a trendy LA tea shop nearly landed me in our local ER! 

If you are not entranced by the wonders of whipped cream but like the idea of a lavender frosting, try this Ninja Baker’s variation of standard buttercream.

Lavender Buttercream Frosting

Bring approximately ¾ cup of milk with a generous teaspoon and a half of dried lavender to a boil.

Steep for 10 minutes.

Strain out the lavender.

Cool the milk completely.

Substitute the above lavender milk for the liquid called for in the following C & H recipe. 

(Or any other buttercream frosting written on the back of a powdered sugar box.)

Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients
3 3/4 cups		C&H Pure Cane Powdered Sugar
1/2 cup		butter or margarine, softened
3 to 4 tablespoons		milk
1 teaspoon		vanilla

Instructions:

Combine in large bowl, with mixer at low speed, powdered' sugar, butter, milk and vanilla. Beat at medium speed 1-2 minutes until creamy. If desired, add more milk until frosting is spreading consistency. Makes enough to fill and frost 2-layer cake, 13x9x2-inch sheet cake, or 24 cupcakes. For a simpler (gulp) and healthier treat, as mentioned in my last “Winning” (05 June 2011) post, Paula Deen’s Lavender Bread may do the trick. (My noble father loved the loaf I baked…I think he also loved the honey he drizzled on top.)  Whilst following the exploits of Genji in ancient Japan, you will encounter a reference to rice balls. In Tales of Genji and pre-modern Japan the rice ball known today as onigiri and omusubi  were referred to as a tonjiki.  (The compact meals were also a staple for samurai in the 1700s.)

Stay on the alert for your  next Ninja Baker posting. In my quest to stalk the secrets of splendid cuisine, I’ve met with experts in the onigiri/omusubi field. The information gleaned from my interviews is sure to be a rewarding foodie’s read.

In the meantime…

Wishing you the loveliness of lavender and days of royal pleasure.

The Ninja Baker

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Posted By Ninja Baker to Ninja Baker at 6/24/2011 08:55:00 PM

[DP Knode]

Hi Kim,

      We found Lavender Ladies interesting.  Looking forward to sampling Lavender Tea Bread in our freezer.

Love,

    Barbara and Dad