Thursday 11 June 2009

Crafting and Recipe From Dorset

Last weekend we were down in Dorset visiting my parents. My Mum had been given some elderflowers by her neighbours as she wanted to make Elderflower cordial. They were cutting back their elderflower bush. So we made two batches to share, We couldn't carry our batch home so we left it with Mum to finish. We are looking forward to collecting next time we visit. The recipe if you would like to make some cordial too, is very easy:

30-40 Elderflower heads (fully out but not going over)
2lbs Granulated Sugar
2 Oranges
1 Lemon
2 0z Citric Acid (available from the chemist/pharmacy)
4 pints boiling water

Method:
Cut the flowers from the stalks with scissors
Put into a large bowl with the boiling water, citric acid & sugar
Stir and leave to cool slightly
Add the grated peel of the lemons and oranges and the juice too, stir again
Leave for 48 hours stiring occasionally
Strain the mixture through a very fine sieve or colander with muslin
Pour into bottles, plastic is best if you are freezing any of the cordial.
Finally pour a small amount into a glass and dilute to taste, relax and enjoy.


I have been busy knitting and cross stitching again. In the absence of a model, the chair was a good substitute for showing the length of the shawl/wrap. My progress on the poppy picture has worked up the left side, but I have run out of one of the main colours of thread, so work has stopped temporarily. Happy crafting Jane x

8 comments:

Willow said...

I have never had elderberry codial. What does it taste like? And what do you use it for (other than drinking it directly from the bottle)?

Lovely wrap. I often prefer to wear a wrap instead of a shawl. They seem to snuggle in better on my body shape.

Mrs Moog said...

Oh, I've always wanted to make elderflower cordial - I can almost smell the flowers in your pictures!
I need to find a good local source of elderflowers. I remember picking them as a child for my Dad's winemaking. Never got to benefit from the drink though!
The wrap looks lovely :-)

xxx

Louise said...

I remember as a kid living in Angmering the country lanes being lined with elderflowers. Funny though, my Mum never attempted to make cordial even though they were freely available. Lovely wrap, although will have to be saved for a cold snap, definitely not for a day like today! x

Ally Jay said...

Half term holidays always whizz by. Once I'd got used to 8 week terms I really valued the two week reak they have here in NZ. Love the progress on crafty things.

Elizabeth said...

I love elderberry cordial. I have only made syrup and jam with the berries but have never used the flowers. I may have to give that a try. Thanks for the recipe.

I love the wrap. For a minute there I thought you were making a chair cover -until I read the text!

The Blonde Duck said...

It sounds like you're having fun! I like your wrap!

raining sheep said...

Never had elderflower cordial. Now I am curious. Hope you are doing well. I am crazy busy with work, still out of town and can't wait for July when I start working four days a week for a couple of months. That will be so nice. The cross stitch is so pretty. I love the vibrant colors.

The Blonde Duck said...

Hope you're having a good week!