Riz au Lait de Coquelicot (French Mother's Day — Rose Petal Rice Pudding)

Seasonal and occasion cooking in France has a tradition of specific preparations tied to celebrations — and for certain regions, particularly in the Loire Valley and Provence where field poppies (coquelicots) bloom in May and June, a delicate pink rose petal or poppy petal rice pudding has become associated with spring and early summer occasions including Mother's Day (Fête des Mères, the last Sunday in May). The preparation is a conventional riz au lait enriched with the steeped petals of fragrant roses or edible poppies: the petals are briefly simmered in the milk before adding the rice, then strained out, leaving the milk delicately coloured and perfumed. The result — a pale pink, floral rice pudding served chilled — is one of the most elegant and delicate preparations in the repertoire of seasonal French desserts.