Visit the Federal Way Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday through October to pick up the local ingredients needed for this week’s recipe.

The farmers market is located behind The Commons mall along South 324th Street in Federal Way.

Olive Oil Lavender Cookies (Makes 18 cookies)

By Vickie Chynoweth

1/4 cup Ancient Trees Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/4 lemon curd

1 egg

3/4 cup granulated white sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 teaspoons dried lavender Mountain Glow Lavender Farm

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl use electric mixer, beat Ancient Trees Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil on medium speed for 30 seconds.

3. Add egg and lemon curd, mix well. Add sugar, lavender, baking soda, salt, lemon zest and vanilla. Mix until well combined.

4. Mix in flour until well combined and dough sticks together when pinched.

5. Using your hands, form 1 to 1 1/2 inch balls out of dough. Once a ball is formed, slightly flatten with palms of hands. Place dough 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

6. Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges are golden.

7. Transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely

How to dry lavender, advice from Mountain Glow Lavender Farm

First, ensure your lavender plant is an English variety (Lavandula angustifolia), which may be used for culinary purposes. Cut a small bunch of lavender stems when the flowers are half bloomed. Place a rubber band around the base of the lavender stems. Open a paperclip and use it to hang the lavender upside down by the rubber band. Hang the lavender in a dry location with good airflow out of direct sunlight for 1-2 weeks until fully dried. You should be able to easily strip the lavender buds from the stems. These buds are what you will use for your culinary purposes.

To clean your lavender buds, pick out any large, obvious stems, leaves, and other debris while using a mesh strainer to sift out smaller debris. Then store the dried lavender buds in an airtight container in a dark space to preserve the beautiful color and scent.

Fresh lavender can be used in teas and lemonade without the need for drying. Simply cut the lavender buds when the flowers are half bloomed. There is no need to cut any of the stems with the buds. Add the flowers to your tea infuser and enjoy!