Using spring's fresh edible flowers and delicious herbs, make gardenish dishes for your bridal shower guests.

Many thanks to the kind and happy folks at Sunrise Herb Farm for giving us the dandelion recipes. They have wonderful suggestions on their website for recipes using edible flowers.

Dandelion Fritters

Serves 8

Ingredients
2 cups whole wheat flour
4 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon powder
2 pinches salt
2 egg
1 cup milk
4 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cups chopped dandelion flowers
1 cup strawberry jam

Directions
Mix the dry ingredients. Beat egg and add milk and oil. Stir into the dry mix. Add the dandelion flowers and blend. Cook the same as you would pancakes, heating until golden. Serve with strawberry jam.

Dandelion Salad

Serves 12

Ingredients
8 cups dandelion leaves
8 cups romaine lettuce leaves
4 cups diced tomatoes
1 cup chopped chives
1/2 cup chive flowers
2 cups chopped dandelion flowers
Dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp. tamari
4 tsp. lime juice

Directions
Wash and dry the greens. Tear into bite size pieces. Place greens, tomatoes and chives in a large pretty bowl and toss well. Add the dressing and garnish with the chive and dandelion flowers.

Cucumber Gazpacho

Serves: 8

Ingredients:
10 peeled and seeded cucumber
2 tsp. cumin
salt and pepper to taste
4 diced red bell peppers
2 diced red onions
4 fresh chopped fine chili peppers
1/2 chopped cup fresh cilantro
1 lb plain yogurt
4 juiced lemons
2 chopped bunch scallions
2 tsp. coriander

Directions
First, purŽe cucumbers in a food processor. Then, while continuing to purŽe, add the yogurt and lemon juice. Transfer to a large bowl and add the bell peppers, onion, chili peppers, cilantro, scallions, coriander and cumin. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add a few sprigs of cilantro or a small dollop of yogurt as a garnish, if desired.