"No voice calls me to order as I enter a dream of meadow, kneel to earth and, moving east to west, second the motion only of the sun…. Clouds form, dissolve, withhold or promise rain. In time, outside of time, the unkempt afternoons fill up with flowers."
"Planting the Meadow" by Mary Makofske
Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is a biennial wildflower that is often confused with phlox. The most obvious distinction is that phlox blooms later in the season and the flowers have five petals whereas Hesperis has only four.
Because of its tendencies to self seed and escape cultivation, it's considered an invasive species in parts of the country where it has crowded out native species. In my state of Connecticut, it is illegal to move, sell, purchase, transplant or distribute Hesperis. And, because I always follow the law [ahem], I resist the temptation to transplant them to a more conspicuous part of the garden. For now, they live on an unmown patch of earth that I call "the meadow", where they happily coexist with sumac, asters, mullein and goldenrod.
Dame's rocket belongs to the Brassicaceae family of plants that include cabbage and mustard.
The flowers throw off a sultry vanilla scent that intensifies as the sun goes down (Hesperis means evening in Greek) and has a two-part flavor that starts as honeyed pears and ends with a mild sting of mustard.
This dish, built on a foundation of peanut butter ganache and peanut brittle-enrobed roasted banana, covered with elderflower and green tea whip displays an intriguing juxtaposition of harmonious flavors.
It looks a bit wild and unkempt. Just like the meadow.
Download recipe: The meadow
Playing with Fire and Water 
Dear,
I am totally in love with your blog. I haven’t comment before but I have been reading all of it. You have a great touch and puts together great compositions. Beautiful.
Cheers.
C.
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I think I might actually try this – it looks beautiful! And it looks like the fanciest thing I can make myself!
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Another work of art. Beautiful without sacrificing flavor. I’ve got to slow down and look around a little when I’m out on my bike rides. Apparently I’ve been overlooking a lot of inspiration.
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Wow, that last pic is stunning. I don’t know why so many people are afraid to eat flowers. Really interesting recipe. thanks
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