Creamy beetroot vol-au-vents with Begonia

Sensational autumn canapé

Begonias and beetroot make for a heavenly combination, which is why Natascha Boudewijn of De Keuken van Greendelicious has created this vol-au-vent recipe especially for Thejoyofplants.co.uk. Irresistible: beetroot, Begonia and bite.

Copyright: De Keuken van Greendelicious

The Begonia is very well-known as a bedding and houseplant, but not everyone realises that the flowers of some varieties are edible. There are more than a thousand varieties of Begonia, but only the flowers of the tuberous or hybrid Begonia are edible. 

Begonia flowers or Granny Smith? 

Begonia flowers taste a bit like apple, particularly the fresh, tart Granny Smith. They have a pleasant, firm bite. The flowers’ stems are also edible, with a flavour reminiscent of rhubarb.  

Romige biet-bouchées met Begonia Mooiwatplantendoen.nl

Floral canapés

Begonia flowers are usually used in sweet dishes but they also work well in savoury recipes. Apple and beetroot is a combination that’s made in heaven, so this fabulous and tasty vol-au-vent with beetroot and edible Begonias will be a real hit at a drinks party this autumn! These canapés are very quick to make and you can prepare the filling the day before and store it in the fridge.

Ingredients 

for 24 vol-au-vents 

  • 1/2 a cooked beetroot

  • 1 tbsp grated horseradish (from a jar is fine)

  • 200 g cream cheese

  • freshly ground pepper and sea-salt

  • a couple of sprigs of fresh oregano

  • 24 vol-au-vent cases (can be bought ready-made)

  • 24 edible Begonia flowers

Step 1

Cut the beetroot into small pieces and blend to a smooth texture with a hand blender. Add the horseradish and the cream cheese. Blend into a fine mousse using the hand blender. Taste and season with a generous grinding of pepper and sea-salt. Fill an icing bag with the mousse and store in the fridge until ready to use. 

Step 2

Set out the vol-au-vent cases and fill with the beetroot mousse using the icing bag. Decorate with an edible begonia flower and a couple of leaves of fresh oregano. 

Romige biet-bouchées met Begonia Mooiwatplantendoen.nl

PLEASE NOTE: 

  • People with gout, kidney stones or rheumatism are advised not to eat the flowers, since they contain oxalic acid. 
  • Begonia flowers from garden centres are not edible because they have been treated with chemicals. You can order edible Begonia flowers from 

Romige biet-bouchées met Begonia Mooiwatplantendoen.nl

Want more edible flower inspiration? 

Our flower website Funnyhowflowersdothat.co.uk contains many more ideas for using edible flowers with food!

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