Written by Steve King, Managing Director at Bottled & Boxed
While flowers and wine are popular through the spring months, why not get a little creative this year and let your floral arrangements inspire your whole meal? In this article, bespoke gift set company Bottled & Boxed — specialising in wine, beer, flowers, and artisanal food hampers —share some alternative approaches to the classic bouquet this year that are a treat for all the senses.
Choosing floral food
One way to incorporate flowers into your Easter meal is to experiment with floral food. There are a wide variety of edible flowers that instantly add a gorgeous presentational flourish to any dish. Not only this, but some blooms have unique botanical flavours that can infuse your meal with a delicate taste of spring (something we’ve all missed after the long, winter months).
Aromatic desserts
Hibiscus, violets, lavender, and rose are all edible flowers that work particularly well in sweet dishes like cakes, jellies, and ice creams. They infuse desserts with their pastel colours and delicate flavours, while also enabling each dish to boast elegant presentation whether you dine at home or at a restaurant.
Pair desserts infused with jasmine, lavender, or rose petals with a white dessert wine that cuts through the sweetness, such as a dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer.
Savoury dishes
However, flowers aren’t just limited to sweet recipes: your main courses can also benefit from botanical flavours and floral garnishes. For instance, incorporating nasturtium leaves into vegetable dishes adds a peppery, rocket-like taste that’s really unique. Or, sprinkle small pink chive blossoms over a potato salad with shallots and dill to add a pop of colour and a delicate chive flavouring.
Pair these fresh, herby dishes with a crisp sauvignon blanc or a lightly sparkling cava for a refreshing spring lunch.
International cuisines
Wine and flowers make a beautiful atmosphere for any occasion, but using them to tell the story of your food feels even more elegant and special. One way to do so is using flowers that match the country of the cuisine you’re serving: for instance, the red carnation is the national flower of Spain, so when serving seafood paella, tapas, or Jamon Iberico, they make the perfect addition to the table.
Pair Spanish dishes with a full-bodied rioja or a bottle of sparkling cava for an authentic taste of Spain.
Creating a tablescape
To achieve the most visual impact at your dinner table, simply take inspiration from the colour of your flowers to create a unified theme that’s sure to impress. If your flowers of choice are roses or red geraniums, serve bottles of merlot, shiraz, or cabernet sauvignon which could even accompany red meat or other dishes with deep, rich flavours.
On the other hand, if you’re planning an Easter lunch that celebrates all the bright colours of early spring, lay your table with vases of sunflowers and daffodils. These yellow blooms could be accompanied by bottles of golden chardonnay or viognier, which themselves pair nicely with fish dishes. Or, to compliment the pastel shades of peonies, serve a chilled bottle of sparkling rosé wine in champagne flutes.
Giving flowers and wine as a tablescape gift set is a perfect way to make a celebratory meal all the more special.
“Flowers, great food, and fine wine are the key components of any great celebration, why not experiment with floral food and wine pairings?
“Incorporating floral flavours, colours, and scents into your wine and food choices is a treat for all the senses and helps you create a day to remember. Give the gift of a delicious meal and gorgeous tablescape this year to show just how much you care.”
About the author
Steve King is Managing Director at Bottled & Boxed
