Hibiscus Sugar Food

HIBISCUS SUGAR

Steps:

• Mix red and white hibiscus flowers together, breaking them into slightly smaller pieces.
• Place 3/4 cup flowers and sugar in a mini food processor. Pulse until flowers are pulverized. Use the pulse method to ensure the sugar doesn't heat up and melt.
• Place remaining 1/4 cup flowers in an airtight container. Cover with sugar mixture. Let infuse for at least 3 days before using.

HIBISCUS-GINGER COOKIES

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Pulse the hibiscus flowers 8 to 10 times in a spice grinder until coarsely ground but not powdery. Whisk 1 tablespoon of the ground hibiscus, the flour, ground ginger and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.
• Grate the fresh ginger on the large holes of a box grater. Squeeze out the juice with your hands into a small bowl; discard the solids.
• Beat the butter and 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the vanilla, lime zest and 1 tablespoon of the ginger juice. Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the flour mixture in two batches until combined.
• Roll tablespoonfuls of dough into balls. Arrange about 1 inch apart on 2 unlined baking sheets. Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are light golden on the bottom, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool 2 minutes on the pans, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the glaze: Whisk the remaining 1 cup confectioners? sugar, 1 teaspoon ginger juice, the lime juice, water and 2 pinches of salt in a medium bowl. Dip the top of each cookie in the glaze to cover evenly; let any excess drip off. Sprinkle with the remaining ground hibiscus. Let set, about 5 minutes.

AGUA DE JAMAICA (HIBISCUS WATER)

Steps:

• Place 6 cups of water in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Stir in the hibiscus petals, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Reduce heat to medium-low, and gently simmer until the water has turned a deep red, 30 to 45 minutes.n
• Stir the chopped piloncillo into the hibiscus water until dissolved, then set aside to cool 15 minutes. After cooling, strain the warm liquid into a 1 gallon pitcher through a wire mesh strainer. Squeeze as much liquid from the petals as you can, then discard the petals. Stir in the white sugar until dissolved, then pour in enough cold water to fill the pitcher. Serve immediately or let stand overnight for best taste.n

SIMPLE HIBISCUS SYRUP WITH DRIED HIBISCUS FLOWERS FOR BEAUTIFUL FLORAL COCKTAILS

Steps:

• Add the water, sugar, and dried flowers to a medium sized pot and bring it to a boil on the stove over medium heat. When it reaches a boil, turn the heat down to low and simmer for 15 mins.
• Remove from heat and let it cool completely. Strain the dried flowers out of the syrup and store in an airtight container in the fridge.