27.5.12

IT's ElDerRfLoWeR SeAsOn!!


The last few days have smelled delicious. I'm transported back to life as a 13 year old living in the depths of rural Norfolk by seeing all the ripe elderflower trees; they hang over garden fences and accesorize roadsides without being snobbish about where they've set up home. 

We used to make cordial every year just when the elderflower heads look buttery in colour and smell like Summer weddings. I think the no cooking, little stirring and minimal ingredients all unite to make this a lazy girls favourite activity.

There is one thing. Don’t be put off by the citric acid, it as cheap as sugar and you can buy packs in trusted Boots chemist (or any pharmacy). 

By my calculations there is about four more weekends of possible drink making. Just one tip – pick the elderflower when the sun is shining; you can taste the rays. 

This is my recipe;

1.5 litres of boiling water
1 kilo of white granulated sugar
30 elderflower heads
2 lemons (the zest peeled into stips with a veg peeler and the remaining flesh sliced into rounds)
50g of citric acid

1/In a large vessel (saucepan or mixing bowl) pour the boiling water onto the sugar and stir. Leave to cool, stirring every now and then to dissolve the sugar.
2/When cool add the citric acid, the lemons and the elderflower heads.
3/ Leave become delicious for 48 hours
4/Strain through sterilised muslin or a washed j-cloth and pour into sterilised bottles

 


No comments:

Post a Comment