My children are so lucky to have the opportunity to really understand where their food comes from. My eldest especially takes a keen interest in picking berries from the hedgerows to make crumbles, as well as collecting the eggs from the chickens and picking the fruits for jams and chutneys. They love nothing more than 'raiding' the veggie patch, hunting out the ripe raspberries and strawberries. They have also taken a keen interest in the vegetables, it is rare these days that the vegetables even make it to the kitchen as the girls love to sit and shell the peas, eating them straight from the pod!
So when I asked for help hunting out the Elderflower my eldest jumped at the chance. I Googled a recipe and with a pair of scissors in tow we went on the hunt. We didn't even have to leave the front garden before we stumbled upon a tree full of Elderflowers, letting off such a distinct smell.
The recipe I found couldn't have been easier. It did call for citric acid, although after trying in both Tesco and Boots I gave up and decided not to add it. It is needed to preserve the cordial for longer however I knew it wouldn't last long in our house so I wasn't worried.
30 Elderflower Heads
1.5 Litres Boiling Water
1kg Caster Sugar
4 lemons, sliced
Add boiling water to sugar and stir to dissolve.
Throw in Elderflower heads and lemons and stir.
Cover with a cloth and leave for 48 hours stir when you remember.
That is pretty much it - I then strained mine through a muslin and transferred it to a bottle. If you were wanting to preserve the cordial (up to 3 months) you would need to add 50g citric acid and sterilizer the bottles.
What could be better than sitting in the garden on a hot summers day clinking glasses of cold refreshing cordial mixed with still or sparking water with buckets of ice.
Elderflower flowers between late May and June and can be found growing on headrows, fields and in my garden!
Looks great! We have buckets of citric acid at home, ask mum! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks hun,
ReplyDeleteHow's the new flat?!