Stained glass is made of colored pieces of glass that are joined by lead strips to form a pictorial design. It is said to have originated in the Middle East. Today you can find beautiful examples of stained glass in the cathedrals of Canterbury--and in your kitchen.

If you'd like to impress your friends, serve them Stained Glass Potatoes. They are easy to make, tasty and beautiful! Raw potatoes are cut in half and then baked, cut side down, on a bed of herbs and flower petals. The finished result is a show-stopper!

STAINED GLASS POTATOES
by Marion Owen

+ Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
+ Wash, but don't peel, about 5 to 7 medium-sized potatoes (any color)
+ Drizzle a thin layer of olive oil into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan
+ Arrange a layer of fresh herbs (oregano, basil, thyme or sage leaves--my favorite) on top of the olive oil.
+ Sprinkle a handful of edible flower petals such as pansies, violets or calendula on the herbs. NOTE: Calendula, also called pot marigold, have orange, yellow or brick-red colored blossoms that hold up especially well when cooked.
+ Set the potatoes, cut side down, on top of the herbs and flowers. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
+ Bake until tender, about 45 minutes.

We serve these on our Galley Gourmet dinner cruises because as the potatoes bake, the herbs and flowers stick to the potato, like paint on a canvas. Each one is a work of art, like a stained glass window, worthy of any cathedral.

Discover more unusual recipes on my plantea.com website.