The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Recipes => Topic started by: waterbuffalofarmer on May 27, 2014, 06:53:29 pm

Title: Elderflowers!
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on May 27, 2014, 06:53:29 pm
Hi guys
All the elderflowers are in bloom now and I was wondering now that the elderflowers are out, what are everyones thoughts? I was looking on the bbcgoodfood website and found this recipe, it sounds yummy.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/frozen_elderflower_07251 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/frozen_elderflower_07251)
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: Treud na Mara on May 27, 2014, 08:30:56 pm
Elderflower champagne every time - see the brewing strand for recipes, also cordial for the under age! So jealous - we only planted our in November so it'll be while before we can harvest our own. But I will be out on the forage soon!
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: mowhaugh on May 27, 2014, 10:34:06 pm
Yummy, sounds delicious.
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: HesterF on May 27, 2014, 10:48:57 pm
Cordial and champagne - once the rain stops. Once they're done, maybe I'll try some new and exciting things!
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: Somewhere_by_the_river on May 30, 2014, 09:11:26 am
Definitely gallons of cordial, great added to anything with gooseberries in particular (gooseberry fool always good). I want to experiment with adding it to cakes this year too.. that's if OH doesn't drink it all as soon as I make it like last year!  ;)
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: Dan on May 30, 2014, 09:20:56 am
Champagne and cordial. The latter freezes well and gives a taste of summer in the depths of winter.  :)
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: Ina on May 30, 2014, 09:56:51 am
Elderflowers are nice in herbal tea; also mixed with mint and/or verbena. That way you can get the flavour without having to ingest tons of sugar...
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: LouiseG on May 31, 2014, 09:23:07 pm
I've just made gooseberry and elderflower muffins.  :excited: :excited: :excited:  they are very yummy
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on May 31, 2014, 09:51:42 pm
Sounds good, could you post the recipe please?
Thanks
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: LouiseG on May 31, 2014, 10:21:03 pm
Gooseberry and Elderflower Muffins
150g plain flour , 1 level 10ml spoon Baking Powder, 1/4 tsp salt
sift the above together
1 egg, 40g caster sugar, 30mls milk, 75ml elderflower cordial, 50g butter (melted)   
whisk the wet ingredients together
top and tail 225g + 18 extra gooseberries
sieve the flour mix again onto the wet ingredients and fold in quickly and carefully for no more than 15 seconds. Do no stir or mix and don't worry if some lumps are left.
Quickly fold in the 225g gooseberries and then put mixture into 6 or 7 muffin cases in a muffin tin.
Gently press 3 gooseberries into the top of each muffin and sprinkle with some Demerera sugar.
Bake for 30 mins
Only makes 6 or 7 but they are quick and easy and wouldn't keep well if you were to make lots :thumbsup:                                                                                                                                 
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on June 01, 2014, 09:45:34 am
Thanks for posting the recipe. I will try and make them myself soon. :yum:
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: northfifeduckling on June 02, 2014, 05:45:06 pm
lovely thread  :)
I always make cordial and dry some for winter teas. Ours isn't quite there yet, I can't wait!  :&>
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on June 09, 2014, 05:04:33 pm
I made some cordial the other day and it is very nice. Now I need to make some elderflower chamagne. I have never made elderflower chamagne before, does anyone have any advice? :wave:
Thanks
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: northfifeduckling on June 09, 2014, 09:32:23 pm
sorry,can't help with a recipe -  I only got drunk on some homemade elderflower champagne as a student and I thought I was about to die....treat with caution and moderations as elder is a potent medicine for colds and flu! Racing heart and feverish flushes in cases of overdose  :innocent:
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: ellied on June 10, 2014, 08:27:54 am
I'm just starting the first batch of cordial today as there are finally 30 heads flowering, and hopefully lots more to come and enough to leave for berries later too :)

I don't think of it as just for kids as an alternative to grown up champagne at all..  In fact when I'm working and need hydration or tired and need a bit of a lift, it's just sweet enough and refreshing enough to avoid reaching for a biscuit, so I think of it as a health food even not knowing about the flu remedy part til now :)

I'm tempted to try my first batch of ice cream with a bit of EC in it later on, but I've not made the cordial yet (my first batch of nettle is going down fine tho so fingers crossed!)..
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: northfifeduckling on June 10, 2014, 01:54:53 pm
Ellie, do you have a recipe for nettle cordial? Is it tasty? Still plenty of nettle tops needing to go soon....
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: northfifeduckling on June 10, 2014, 01:55:48 pm
Forget it, I just saw the other thread, dooohhh  ::)
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on June 10, 2014, 02:52:12 pm
I have already made the first batch, it was yummy, so now for the second, third, fourth and finally fifth. :tired:
Title: Re: Elderflowers!
Post by: Mel Rice on July 23, 2014, 01:52:23 pm
Missed my flowers....we had a hot spell whilst the flowers were out and they didnt last long (well thats my excuse....really it was ....oooo look the flowers are out must pick some and do something (( time moves on)) oooo look some have finished I MUST pick some and do something.......ooo look there are only a few left I MUST do something......) Ho hum I WILL do something with the berries as Ive been drinking some four year old elderberry wine and it was quite nice.