Serve these pretty as a picture flower cheese rolls for a no-bake summer appetizer or delight your guests at an afternoon tea party. Easy to make, lovely to serve, and so delicious to eat! Use local goat cheese and edible flowers from your garden or farmers’ market. Use dried flowers and herbs from your pantry when fresh ones are not available.
Flower Goat Cheese Rolls Recipe
TEA PAIRING: Lovely served with LAVENDER EARL GREY
INGREDIENTS
* 250 ml (8 oz) soft goat or cow’s milk cheese (creamy style)
* 100 ml (3 oz) mascarpone cheese
* 2 cups of seasonal organic or non-sprayed edible flowers of choice (divided)
* ½ cup chopped nasturtium leaves and flowers (or substitute herbs of choice)
* 1 teaspoon lemon zest
* 1 teaspoon cracked pink peppercorns
* Pinch of salt
* A few whole flowers or herbs to press on outside of rolls
* Optional: 1 – 2 teaspoons of honey
HOW TO
* Gently rinse flowers and herbs, lay on a clean towel to dry
* Let cheeses sit at room temperature for 30 minutes – they will be easier to mix
NEXT
* Mash together goat cheese, mascarpone, salt and honey if using, until blended
* Gently fold in peppercorns, leaves and/or herbs along with 1 cup of petals
* Form cheese mixture into 2 logs and roll in remaining petals and flowers. Press a few whole flowers into the rolls
* Chill until firm
* Serve the rolls on edible leaves with crackers, small baguette rounds or thickly sliced zucchini rounds
SERVINGS
Makes 2 rolls
TIPS 
* Cow’s milk cheese can be substituted for goat’s milk cheese
* Rolling on waxed or parchment paper helps form the rolls
* If mixture is too soft to roll put it back in the fridge until firmer
* Rolls can be made the day before but do not roll in fresh petals until the day of serving. Take rolls out of the fridge 15-30 minutes ahead to soften slightly, then roll in petals and serve or return to the fridge until serving time.
• Dried flowers and herbs can be substituted when fresh ones aren’t available. If using dried for the cheese rolls, they can be rolled up to a day in advance of serving and stored in the fridge. The rolls are actually nicer made the day before as the flowers and herbs have time to soften and ‘bloom’ again.
NOTE: As with all herbs, leaves, roots and flowers, allergies and side effects are possible. Know your allergens and always check with your health care provider before consuming flowers for medicinal purposes.
