Magickal:

Lemon Balm is used in spells to bring Animal healing, compassion, endings, fertility, happiness, healing, longevity, love, mental, prosperity, psychic, release, success,and youth.

Balm was planted by ones front door to drive away evil spirits. It was also used to draw bees to the hive. Lemon Balm was a very Works well in amulets for good luck, and metal clarity. Lemon balm burning in as an offering on you altar greatly enhances your state of meditation. Soak in wine for 3 hours, remove and serve wine to friends and loved ones. A sacred Herb to the temple of Diana, used medicinally by the Greeks 2,000 years ago. .

CULINARY:

Fresh leaves can be added to salad or used in egg dishes and can be used to make sauces for fish, poultry and pork. Dried or fresh the whole plant is used to make cool refreshing drinks or warm relaxing teas.

Breakfast tea:

2 tsp. chopped leaves added to 1 cup boiling water steep 5 to 10 min. strain add honey and, or lemon.

Cold highnooner:

2 tbsp. per cup of cold water, let stand for 6 to 8 hours. Strain, add ice peppermint sprig and sweeten to taste.

HONEY AND LEMON BALM TEA BISCUITS
Categories: Breads, Herbs
Yield: 1 servings

1 c Butter
1 c Honey
3 Eggs
3 c Flour
3 ts Baking powder
1 tb Milk
2 ts Lemon juice
-OR- lemon flavoring
4 Sprigs fresh lemon balm
-- chopped

Thoroughly cream the butter and honey. Add eggs and beat well. Add the
dry ingredients, then the milk, flavoring, and lemon balm. Drop by
spoonfuls on an ungreased baking sheet and bake 8 to 10 minutes at 375 F.


Valentino
2 oz unsalted butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 generous Tbsp strawberry preserves or orange marmalade
1 tsp orange zest
1 Tbsp Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur or fresh orange juice
3 Tbsp chopped fresh lemon balm
Fresh strawberries for optional garnish
Fresh lemon balm sprigs for optional garnish
Blend the butter and cream cheese with a fork. Mix in the other ingredients. Best made a day in advance for flavors to mingle; chill overnight and serve at room temperature. Keeps for a week. Use as a dip or serve as a spread. (The Herb Garden Cookbook)

Crab Soup with Lemon Balm and Coconut Milk
1 large steamed crab, such as Dungeness or blue
½ inch piece ginger, peeled
12 large lemon balm sprigs
3 shallots, 2 chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 Tbsp Thai or Vietnamese fish sauce
1 tsp dried shrimp paste or ½ tsp anchovy paste
1 14-oz can unsweetened coconut milk
1 green Thai or serrano chili
1 red Thai or serrano chili
zest of ½ lime
juice of 1 lime, or to taste.
Scrub the crab well, then crack the shells and remove the meat, keeping it in large pieces. Set the meat aside. Break the shells into small pieces with a mallet or the blunt side of a chefs knife. Place the broken shells in a food processor with 1 cup water and process for about 1 minute. Scrape the shells and liquid into a noncorrodible pan and add 4 cups water. If you are using pre-shelled crab meat, place 4 cups chicken stock in a noncorrodible pan. Slice the ginger about 1/8 inch thick and add to the shells and water or to the stock. Bruise six lemon balm sprigs and add them to the pan along with the chopped shallots and garlic. Simmer the broth for 15 minutes, skimming occasionally. Strain the broth into a clean noncorrodible pan. Stir the coconut milk very well and add half of it to the broth. Remove the leaves from the remaining lemon balm and shred them. Cut the remaining shallot in a fine dice. Stem the chilis and slice them in thin diagonal pieces. Remove the seeds if desired. Add the lemon balm, shallot, chilis, and lime zest to the broth and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the crab meat and lime juice and heat through. Serve hot. (Herbs in the Kitchen)

Lemon Balm Chicken
4 boned chicken breasts
2 Tbsp dry sherry
¾ cup shredded cheese (Swiss or another white cheese)
½ cup light cream
4 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp chopped lemon balm
Salt/pepper
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Melt butter and fry chicken 5-7 minutes. Place chicken in glass baking dish. Add sherry and lemon balm and cream into the pan of hot butter. Stir and simmer over low heat. Pour liquid over chicken. Top with cheese and bake for 15-20 minutes in 350o oven in covered dish. Serve with sauce over angel hair pasta. (The Herbal Connection CollectionVolume 1)

Lemon Balm-Spearmint Pesto
2 cups fresh lemon balm and spearmint leaves
½ cup olive oil
½ cup garlic cloves
Chop and blend all ingredients together. This blend can be stored frozen for 2-3 months in an airtight container. Ideal to use as a fresh summer sauce on fish. (Herb Mixtures & Spicy Blends)

Berry Balm Crunch
16 oz blackberries, raspberries or blueberries
2 Tbsp lemon juice
4 Tbsp finely chopped fresh lemon balm
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
5 Tbsp butter, softened
1 tsp cinnamon
sprigs of fresh lemon balm for garnish
Combine berries, lemon juice, and lemon balm. Spread in an 8-inch square baking pan. Mix sugar and next 4 ingredients. Sprinkle over berries. Bake at 375o for 30 minutes or until crisp and brown. Serve warm with ice cream and garnish. (Todays Herbal Kitchen)

Lemon Balm Cornucopia Cookies with Minted Berries and Lemon Balm Custard
3 cups strawberries cut into fourths
3 Tbsp sugar
1 ½ Tbsp Grand Marnier
1 Tbsp minced fresh mint
¼ cup sugar
2 Tbsp melted unsalted butter
1 tsp grated lemon peel
1 Tbsp minced fresh lemon balm
1 large egg white, at room temperature
¼ cup flour
6 large egg yolks
6 Tbsp sugar
3 Tbsp whipping cream
4 ½ Tbsp fresh lemon juice
6 Tbsp whipping cream

1 Tbsp minced fresh lemon balm
Sprinkle strawberries with 3 tablespoons sugar, Grand Marnier and mint in large bowl; stir gently. Chill for 2-4 hours. Process ¼ cup sugar, butter, lemon peel and 1 tablespoon lemon balm in food processor until fluffy. Add egg white. Process for 2-4 seconds. Pour mixture into bowl; stir in flour. Spoon 1 tablespoon batter onto buttered baking sheet. Spread into a 5-inch circle. Repeat, having 2 circles on baking sheet at a time. Bake at 325 degrees for 12 minutes or until pale golden color. Loosen each cookie from baking sheet quickly; fold into cornucopia shape. Cool on wire rack. Repeat process until all batter is used. May prepare a day in advance and store in a single layer in an airtight container. Whisk egg yolks, 6 tablespoons sugar, 3 tablespoons whipping cream and lemon juice in double boiler. Cook over simmering water for 5 minutes or until mixture is thickened and no longer separates, stirring constantly. Pour into bowl to cool; press waxed paper on top to prevent skin from forming on custard. Beat 6 tablespoons whipping cream in mixer bowl until soft peaks form. Fold in 1 tablespoon lemon balm. Fold mixture into cooled custard. Fill cornucopia cookies with custard, allowing some custard to spill out onto dessert plate. Drain strawberries; spoon over custard. Garnish with fresh mint leaves. (Along the Garden Path)

Lemon Balm Cheesecake
2 c flour
1/2 cup sour cream or yogurt
1 c butter or margarine
1 egg yolk
Combine in food processor and process about 1 minute, until well blended. Flatten on waxed paper and refrigerate for about 1 hour.

Filling:
8 oz cream cheese
½ c sugar
3 c lemon balm leaves, loosely packed, large stems removed
2-3 drops lemon extract (optional)
1 egg
1 tsp lemon rind
Cut cream cheese into chunks, put all ingredients into food processor. Pulse a few times, then process for about 2 minutes until smooth and well blended. Remove pastry from refrigerator and roll out on floured waxed paper until about 1/8 inch thick. Cut 4 circles with knife and lift each circle into a muffin tin. Press down lightly to make circle fit tin. Spoon in cheese filling about 2/3 of the way full. Makes about 15 small cheese cakes. Bake at 250 degrees, 20 minutes. Dont over bake. (The Culinary Gardener)

Tropical Smoothie with Mint and Lemon Balm
1 medium banana, peeled and slices
1 medium mango, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 medium papaya, peeled, seeded, and chopped
3 cups skim milk
¼ cup fresh mint leaves
¼ cup fresh lemon balm leaves
2 Tbsp honey.
Combine all ingredients in a blender, puree, and serve immediately. Garnish with sprigs of fresh mint or lemon balm, if desired.