Hyssop in the Hissouse

So at the CSA yesterday I got Anise Hyssop, an herb new to my world. I have also never used fresh oregano and got a bunch of that as well. They also allow you to hand-pick mint, lavendar, and oregano too. I partook in the mint-picking in hopes of making some fine Cuban drinks over the Memorial Day weekend.

Veggies included 1/4 lb. spinach, 1 1/4 lb. mix of collard greens, kale, and Russian kale. They gave us a free Anise Hyssop plant and I read online that it has beautiful and aromatic purple flowers that work well in a variety of uses like dried for potpourri, in teas, to flavor vodka and honey, to add to cookies and quickbreads, etc. I have no idea what classifies as a quick bread, but I like the idea of it. Other goals include planting the free pot of Anise Hyssop that they gave us and using the subsequent flowers to make decorative ice cubes for the Southern women parties I have so often in the lazy days of summer. Sometimes I wish I was a true Southern woman when I see movies about the South. Nah, I would hate that.

A few recipes I might try:

Anise Hyssop Pound Cake
Source: Midwest Living
http://www.bhg.com

Makes 12 servingsPrep: 20 minutesBake: 40 minutesCool: 2 hoursStand: 2 hours

Ingredients
3 cups sifted cake flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1-1/2 tablespoons snipped fresh anise hyssop blossoms, licorice basil, lemon thyme, or nasturtium blossoms
Sifted powdered sugar

Directions
1. Grease and flour the bottom and side of a 10-inch tube pan or a 10-inch fluted tube pan. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Add the 3 eggs; beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. With mixer at low speed, add flour mixture alternately with milk, beating after each addition. Fold in anise hyssop blossoms. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.
5. Bake in a 350 degree F oven about 40 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
6. Cool the cake on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Loosen side of cake from pan. Remove cake from pan and cool completely. Sift powdered sugar over cake. Makes 12 servings.


Either mint or the lemon herbs mix well with the leaves of anise hyssop to make a light and refreshing iced tea with lots of flavor. Like mint plants, these herbs do well with some afternoon shade.


Anise Hyssop with Poached Peaches! must find a recipe for this. Some DC restaurant has Anise Hyssop ice cream, which also sounds intriguing.