Tuesday 14 July 2015

Lemon Syrup

                                                                    
At last we're getting some rain and real wintery weather here in South Australia.  I may have mentioned once or twice, I love Winter.  What's not to love about snuggling into thick socks, rubber boots, layers of jumpers, coats and scarves. Putting another log on the fire with the kettle on the hob whistling quietly, companionably. Leaping out into the weather to bring the cows down from the hill for milking time, feeling the soft rain on my face. Invigorating joy.
                                                                 

And suddenly citrus is in abundance again.
I love to make our own drinks and cordial syrups.  In summer it's lovely to have lemon syrup/cordial on hand for adding to water or soda water.  In winter it's delicious added to black tea or hot water for a warming lemony drink.
This syrup is not cooked, so the essential oils from the skins remain and are captured in the bottle.

Lemon Cordial 
6 lemons
1kg sugar
1 dessertspoon citric acid
4 cups boiling water
Grate the zest from the lemons. Cut lemons in half and juice. Place in a container with the sugar and citric acid. Pour over boiling water. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Cover and leave overnight.
Strain through a sieve and pour into sterilised bottles. Seal. Store in fridge after opening.

                                                                        

                                                                                
                                                                 I made a double batch. 
A friend has given me some oranges from her tree so I'm going to have a go at making some orange cordial in the next few days.
                                                                         

I picked our first broccoli for the season and we ate it lightly steamed for dinner. I can't remember who told me about this but I'll share it with you just in case you don't know. Be sure to cut the broccoli off at an angle so the remaining stem doesn't become waterlogged and cause the rest of the plant to rot. There are little broccolini forming all the way along the stem between the leaves. These will continue for many months, providing many more meals.
I hope you're getting some good winter rains wherever you are.
                                                                           

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