Recipes Of The World

Thoroughly wash up a saucepan to boil the water in, a wooden spoon and a large bowl (preferably not metal).

Bring the water to the boil.

Place the elderflowers in a large bowl, checking for any wildlife along the way. Don’t wash them, or you’ll loose the flavour. Add the lemon, sugar and tartaric acid.

As soon as the water boils, pour it over the flowers etc. and stir until the sugar has dissolved.

Cover and place in a cool, dark place for four days.

Strain the cordial through a muslin lined sieve and pour into clean bottles. Drink at once mixed with lemonade if you’ve got a sweet tooth, or a mixture of lemonade and sparkling mineral water, or just the water. It will keep for a while (it never does with us!).

Ingredients:

2 x Large Lemons
1/2 Cup Sugar
3 Cups Water

Directions:

1. Take 2 lemons from tree and rinse.

2. Cut whole lemons into wedges (approx 6 per lemon) and place in microwave bowl. Add sugar and water ensuring water covers lemon wedges.

3. Cover bowl and microwave for approx 8 minutes. Stir then allow to cool.

4. When cool, squeeze each wedge between thumb and forefinger to pulp into liquid and discard lemon skin. Scoop out any seed.

5. Pour liquid into Jar or bottle and store in refrigerator.

6. For lemonade about 1/4 Base in a glass and add cold water (adjust to taste).

7. This base stores well and can be used for anything that requires lemon Juice: e.g. Lemon tea, Tabbouleh, etc

Note:
Because you are getting flavour from the skin as well as the juice it is stronger and requires fewer lemons than just using the juice but you need to take care not to heat it too long or it will turn bitter. You can also do it in a small saucepan on the stove if you dont have a microwave. In a saucepan, heat the water before adding the lemon wedges.