Use Rosewater
Rosewater is an ever-popular addition to many a pantry but it's not always obvious just how versatile a pantry staple it really is. After making your rosewater or purchasing it, it's helpful to know what to do with it to make the most of it. This article will help steer you in the right direction until your own sense of cuisine flair takes over.
Steps
- Make or purchase some rosewater. You can make your own rosewater, or you can purchase it from specialty grocery stores. When using rosewater, always err on the side of "less is best" as it is a very intense flavour and too much of it can overwhelm. It is always easier to add more than to try to reduce the intensity of an over-seasoned dish. Note, however, that chilled or frozen foods require extra rosewater because the colder temperatures reduce the flavour intensity of the rosewater.
- Use rosewater with oranges. Rosewater and oranges create a superb partnership. Each one complements the other well. Some ideas include:
- Make Rosewater Baklava.
- Make Rosewater Meringues.
- Sprinkle segments of orange with a few drops of rosewater. Add a dusting of fine sugar and serve chilled.
- Crepes with orange slices and rosewater.
- Add rosewater to sorbets. Sorbets are an ideal medium for the addition of rosewater; consider combining in sorbets with citrus tones, refreshing apple or berry fruits.
- Brighten up fresh strawberries. Fresh strawberries are already delicious but the addition of rosewater adds extra sparkle. Sprinkle over the freshly prepared strawberries and add a dusting of icing sugar.
- Substitute rosewater for sugar syrup. In a variety of dessert recipes, it might be possible to substitute a standard sugar syrup with rosewater. An especially good example of this is baklava.
- Add richness to buttery biscuits/cookies. Add a few drops to your favourite butter biscuit recipe; the rosewater will delight at first bite.
- Jazz up rice pudding. A plain rice pudding (purchased or homemade) can be transformed into an exotic dessert with the simple addition of toasted ground almonds, chopped glace fruit and a few drops of rosewater.
- Devise your own uses. After you have tried some of these ideas, you will undoubtedly have a sense of other recipes in which you can introduce rosewater to provide a subtle but delicious additional taste layer. And when you do, feel free to add them to the steps here!
Tips
- rose water can also be used as a natural cleanser, just wipe your face with a cotton dipped in rose water or just applying rose water is enough.
- There are also many non-culinary uses for rosewater. For example, add some rosewater to a bubble bath for a luxuriously scented bath that will help you to relax and feel special. And when you get out of the bath, a combination of almond oil mixed with rosewater makes a good body rub.
Things You'll Need
- Rosewater
- Recipes to inspire you
Related Articles
- Make Rosewater
- Make Rosewater Baklava
- Make Rosewater Meringues
- Make Rose Brandy
- Grow Roses
