The peak of the elderflower season’s gone but there are still a few newly-opened infloresences around, on lower branches or in sheltered spots. This year I vowed to make elderflower cordial and today is the day…
today's haul of elderflowers - about 25 heads
The first step in The River Cottage Cookbook recipe is to steep the flowers + zest of 2 lemons in just-boiled water. The recipe also calls for orange zest but I couldn’t find an unwaxed one in the supermarket.
elderflower infloresences barely covered in just-boiled water
Strain (1100 ml liquid), add sugar (775g) and lemon juice (125ml), bring to a gentle simmer, skim, leave to cool, strain again and bottle.
It’s gently cooling at the moment, and I’ll bottle it up before bed. Apparently she who knits’ mother is impressed that I’m making cordial.
Other produce today includes a few small turnips, two beetroot, a box of mixed lettuce and enough fruit (strawberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants) to make two summer puddings. Tomorrow, when the daughter is asleep for her afternoon nap, I’ll break them out for me and she who knits.
lettuce and summer fruit
29 June 2009 at 14:24 |
My elderflower fizz is getting drunk fast so I might have a go at some cordial…
29 June 2009 at 15:14 |
Would love to get that recipe + have a taste.