Lavender is an incredibly versatile herb for cooking. In today's upscale restaurants, fresh edible flowers are making a comeback as enhancements to both the flavor and appearance of food.
As a member of the same family as many of our most popular herbs, it is not surprising that lavender is edible and that its use in food preparation is also returning. Flowers and leaves can be used fresh, and both buds and stems can be used dried.
Lavender is a member of the mint family and is close to rosemary, sage, and thyme. In cooking, use 1/3 the quantity of dried flowers to fresh. The key to cooking with lavender is to start out small and add more if needed.