Recipes

Victorian Rose Petal Tea Sandwiches

1 large baguette

1 head lettuce, red leaf, romaine or butter

1 cup fresh red rose petals

½ lb. goat cheese (can substitute with cream cheese)

¾ cup walnuts or pine nuts

1 large red onion, sliced

½ cup raspberry yogurt

½ tsp. rose water

Rinse lettuce and rose petals. Dry and set aside. Cut rounded edges of baguette and discard. Cut baguette into four sections. Cut sections length wise. Toast lightly. While toasting baguettes, combine rose water with raspberry yogurt. Line bottom sections of baguette with lettuce leaves. Layer rose petals, cheese, nuts, onions and yogurt dressing. Cover with tops of baguette. Cut each sandwich in half and serve.

These sandwiches are delicious at tea time. Serve with your favorite tea.

1 cup potato salad, homemade or good quality

2 Tbsp. red rose petals

8 slices turkey breast

16 slices cooked bacon

16 slices good quality white or sourdough bread

8 large romaine lettuce leaves, rinsed and dried

Red rose petals, for garnish

In a medium bowl, mix the potato salad and smash it to break up the potato pieces. When the potato salad is blended, add the rose petals. Mix in gently. Spread on side of each slice of bread with the potato rose petal mixture. Add a slice of turkey to 8 of the slices. Lay 2 slices of bacon over each of the 8 turkey sandwiches. Top with lettuce and the remaining bread slices. Carefully cut the crusts from each sandwich with a sharp knife. Cut the sandwiches in half diagonally and the cut in half again. Place on a serving platter and garnish with some rose petals. Makes 32 tea sandwiches.

I was inspired to create this sandwich after reading an interview of Catherine Zeta-Jones. During the interview, which took place in a restaurant, she ordered a hearty club sandwich, with fries. Reading further, I discovered Catherine also loves rose. She said, "My roses are beautiful. I have hybrids - Bermudan ones, which are small and light-leaved." "I also import big old fat English ones." In my opinion, Catherine is lovely, a great actress, a great dancer, enjoys life with a great gusto, and - she loves roses! She is my kind of gal!

For more information on "The Rose Cookbook", www.lauradenktash.com.