Picnic Food Inspiration

Sometimes, all that is required, is simply the inspiration....

Elderberry Elixir

Elderberry elixir is a glorious thing- so deliciously, fragrant and immune boosting too.

In contrast to the delicate creamy elder flowers with their musky, distinctive fragrance, the berries that ripen through late January and all through February are dark staining and powerful medicine. 

I have made syrups with the elder berries and even tried them raw, but they do not agree with me in that state, so instead, each year, I make an elixir- which is very simple and utterly delicious.

The berries must be as ripe as possible- dark and black, so you have to nab them just before the birds get to them. If they are not quite ripe all over just leave them in a bowl for a day or two & they will soon darken up. 

Remove the berries from their clusters with your fingers or a fork. I don't worry too much about the odd stalk. Fill any sized jar with the berries to around two thirds full, pour in some brandy until  the berries are just covered and then add honey to taste. You'll need a good lot of honey as elderberries have no natural sweetness of their own.

Leave in a cool dark place for a good month to 6 weeks before eating.

So all you need is a jar with a good lid, the elderberries, brandy and honey.

The first year I poured off the elixir and bottled it.
Now I just leave it all in together, as I find the berries are also then edible having been "marinated" nicely and are utterly delicious.
The elixir can then be taken by the spoonful, diluted in to water, fizzy water or added in to a hot drink of fruity tea. Drizzled over ice cream or added in to a berry cheesecake also works very nicely.

The elixir is then ready just in time for autumn and helpful for buoying the immune system as we head in to cooler weather. Elder flowers and berries are lovely medicine and provide useful and unique nutrients too. 

http://bearmedicineherbals.com/another-gratuitous-elderberry-post.html

You can also see how to make a simple elderflower fizz just here.

Elderflowers- Jelly & Fizz

Every October I start looking out for the first elderflowers.

 I just adore the sweetly scented bridal flowers.

They are also lovely medicinal plants- both the flowers & the berries being good medicine.

I am often drawn to posts with recipes for using the fragrant flowers, but when I look further I realise that they are really quite impractical- fritters & sugary cordials don't particularly work for me as useful food.

However, healing jellies & elderflower fizz certainly do!

So here is our simple little recipe for making both, in small batches, using 1 litre Agee or Mason jars.

As soon as the elders begin to flower we keep our eyes peeled for accessible bushes.

And gather just what we need- a little at a time.

This way we can make a dozen batches over the flowering season.

So- to a large Agee jar add 6-8 flower heads (no leaves & no washing- just shake the flowers out a little to dislodge any insects) & the juice of a lemon.

Add some lemon slices too, if you like.

Then pour boiling water over the flowers to fill the jar- once it's cooled a little, add a large tablespoon of honey. I'm sure you can use sugar if you like- dissolve it in to the hot liquid.

Pop the lid on & leave to sit for 24- 48 hours.

Strain through a sieve & using a funnel fill a small grolsch (or similar) bottle.

Clip down the lid & leave for 3-7 days.

You can check on the fizz from time to time if you like- it'll re-carbonate itself.

Take care when you take the lid off as it can froth everywhere.

The fizz is created by the action of the natural yeasts & pollens in the flowers.

Adjust the amount of honey to taste.

Chill well before serving.

The other half of the strained liquid is what we use to make elderflower jellies.

The quantity left will fill two small (225ml) Agee or jam jars perfectly.

How to make the jelly:

In a small pot soak 2 level tsps of powdered gelatine in half a cup of the elderflower liquid.

Stir together & then leave to soak a few minutes.

Set over gentle heat & stir to dissolve the gelatine.

Cool, then and in the rest of the liquid.

Taste & add more lemon juice or more honey to taste.

Pour in to the two jars, pop on the lids & in to the fridge they go.

 Perfectly portable, great for picnics & travelling. Lovely with roasted strawberries & yoghurt.
Makes a delicious breakfast or dessert. And best of all, is wonderfully healing & nourishing for the digestive system.

Katie

Sardine or Anchovy Pate

Whoever would have thought that a couple of tins of sardines could make the the most delicious, nourishing pate- ever so versatile & utterly delicious!

I found the concept over at the Western. A. Price foundation here.

Since then (as I do) I have made it a couple of times & tweeked the original recipe.

Look at all those herbs- in they go:

Chickweed, apple mint, coriander, chervil, parsley, spring onions, native celery, tender violet leaves, calendula flowers & anything else that takes your fancy.

Add 2 tins of sardines

& some anchovies- if you have them 

1/2 cup of softened butter (never, ever margarine!!)

salt & freshly ground black pepper

zest & juice of a lemon

dsp whole grain mustard

 Blend all together until smooth-ish in a food processor or with a hand mixer.

 Lovely in artichoke hearts..

 or for lunch- on a violet leaf tortilla, with sauerkraut

and equally good as a dip

 fabulously nourishing & so delicious (not the slightest bit sardiney! Truly.

Katie x

Violet Honey Syrup

Violets are one of my most beloved flowers.

I adore their fragrance, their beauty & their capacity to heal.

I have learnt to make a magical potion this winter- violet honey syrup.

It tastes delicious & it is also very helpful for coughs & sore throats. 

Such simple little fragrant flowers that come in many colours & forms.

A basket-full of violets smells like heaven, to me.

I was very glad to come across the recipe for violet honey paste a month or so ago when Rob had a cough that woke him through the night. 

 I made the paste just as was described & have now made it again & again & each time tweeked the recipe a little more.

I have discovered that these delightful Parma violets are the easiest to pick & the most fragrant of all.

I got the best results by using my simple old "whizz stick".

Each batch has been a little different but in the end I have decided that simple is best:

1 cup of packed violets
1 cup of clover honey, or other light coloured honey. Raw & local is even better.
juice of a large lemon
Blend all together until smooth
Pour in to a clean jar & store in the freezer.
Enjoy a spoon full at a time for coughs & tickly throats or just because its delicious.

Yummy on porridge.

And amazing in this simple little violet honey & guava mousse.

After making some guava jelly in early winter I pushed the fruit through a sieve, sweetened the pulp & popped a bag or two in to the freezer. 

To make the mousse I added a tbsp or so of the violet honey in to the defrosted guava pulp,

stirred in some cream & thick, creamy Greek yoghurt, soaked 2 tsps of gelatine in a little water for 5 minutes, dissolved the gelatine over gentle heat- stirred it in to the guava mixture & popped it in the fridge to set. That simple!

You can also find the violet syrup & cheesecake recipe here.

And the violet jelly & other cheesecake here.

Katie xx