Joining in with Amy and Five on Friday.
1. I managed not to miss the elderflowers this year and made a couple of batches of elderflower cordial using River Cottage's recipe, I made one with an orange and one without. Both good. Although the littlest boy was not impressed. "It tastes wrong. It just tastes wrong."
2. Strawberries, asparagus and rhubarb from the allotment. These early harvests are my favourites. Although I went today to pick more strawberries and the rain has wrought havoc. They are rotting and going mouldy and the mice are having quite an impact as well. I brought back a small punnet, but it was only a fraction of what it should have been.
3. Still practising calligraphy in odd moments. I have some new black ink and it's really scary. Drips fly out and it's only a matter of time before ink meets carpet in a disaster of epic proportions. I honestly am the clumsiest person I know. I managed to flick a massive swathe of tinned tomatoes all across my face and hair when I was cooking earlier. Yesterday I dropped a yoghurt which exploded in spectacular style all over me and the floor. It's a daily thing.
4. Last weekend I took the boys to a Festival of Nature in the city centre. It was brilliant, loads to see and marvel at, and a few food stalls too. I particularly liked the fermented foods one. Sauerkraut and kimchi amongst other things. The kimchi (an Asian fermented/pickled/spiced cabbage dish) was absolutely delicious. And apparently very good for the innards, what with all of its beneficial bacteria. I've had a go at making a batch but I'm not sure it's going to be successful. I put some garlic in, and the smell was so strong I've had to banish it to the garage while it ferments. I shan't give up though, I really like the idea of fermented pickles. I'm not a fan of things with vinegar poured over them, but the acid produced in fermentation is much milder and the flavours of the vegetables still comes through. Has anyone tried fermenting? Any tips?
5. Sad news on the wildlife front. The baby crane out at the wetlands place died. Anyone who has been watching Springwatch will know how low the survival rate can be for the young of pretty much everything. Lots of predation and other calamities. The cranes are very special as they've been extinct here in the southwest for 400 years. Around 90 were reintroduced to the Somerset levels a few years ago, and they are old enough to breed now. A couple of years ago the two chicks that hatched were taken by a fox. Last year a chick was reared successfully. Hopefully there will be more in the future.
Wishing you all a good weekend with hopefully a little summer sunshine. CJ xx
The survival rate of chicks is lamentably low but I suppose in the wild everything is killed for a good reason ... I picked elderflowers the other evening (it was a rare golden hour) from a sandy Heathland common where we were walking to watch the nightjars. Unfortunately by the time I shook them from the cotton bag the next morning they smelt a bit musty so I didn't use them. I think the key is to pick them very fresh on a dry day and start the cordial process within an hour of picking. Wish I could send you some of my strawberries CJ. I've never known a year like it and I blame the rain. I'm picking an overflowing colander every day and making either jam or ice cream every day. TBH I've had enough already - just as well the main summer crop only lasts 10 days! I've never tried fermenting and I feel bad I let my sourdough starter die. Hoping for a lovely day next Tuesday as we're up in Oxford for a graduation followed by a pub lunch in the Cotswolds.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's very easy to start the cordial process. The first step is just to cover with boiling water and leave overnight to steep. Make the most of those strawberries, summer's lease and all that. It looks as if the little crane died from kidney and lung disease which is worrying. Hopefully it was just a one-off. I hope you have a lovely day on Tuesday. Oxford and the Cotswolds are such beautiful places. Remember the camera! CJ xx
DeleteOooh, I made some elderflower cordial this week too. Though I put a little bit too much lemon in mine so (despite the truckloads of sugar in it) it's a little bit too tart and I have to add a spoon of sugar to a glass. Might try and turn some into icecream, though, I think...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! I might collect some elderflower on my way home, I noticed some this morning. I use citric acid instead of lemon, the cordial lasts forever that way. I wonder if elderflower cordial in sparkling wine tastes nice? I count the moorhen chicks and baby ducks most days, and there is always one more missing. Only the magpie offspring seems to do well. I am glad I live a more sheltered life than our wildlife. Have a lovely weekend. xx
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, the cordial sounds divine. Your clumsiness sounds so funny, but I am sure it is very frustrating. Sad about the poor crane. I do hope they will recover numbers again.
ReplyDeleteThat is sad about the crane.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever used the pink flowers from Sambucus Nigra. Even just one sprig in a batch of white results in pink cordial.
I haven't ever tried that, but it sounds brilliant. And it just so happens that there's a bush of it along from my plot.
DeleteI understand clumsiness. The harder you try not to drop things, the worse it gets!
ReplyDeleteI have been saying all week, that I would collect the elderflowers and still haven't sometimes life just takes over. Such sad news about the crane. Hope you have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteFunny how some years we miss doing things and then make sure the following it is not missed out on. I too have made the elderflower and hope to make one more batch before it is too late. Have also for the first time ever made rhubarb cordial, my son loves it. think elderflower work very much towards the female palette, know very few men/boys who like it x
ReplyDeleteSad about the Crane. Such is nature. I love the first photo, it reminds me of a Dutch still life painting. The cordial looks lovely and the fruit and veg too. I keep meaning to do elderflower fritters for pud- have you tried them? Simply the most delicious things. I'm making a black forest gateau this afternoon but I might just do fritters for tomorrow. Have a lovely weekend. I have something for you which I will pop in the post over the weekend/ next week when I get a mo :o) XX
ReplyDeleteA most enjoyable post. Littlest boys comment made me smile. Good luck with the kimchi, which I have tried and wasn't keen on. As you say sad news about the crane chick.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and you too. Flighty xx
Your post was lovely. I loved seeing all of the fresh produce. That's what is great about this time of year! You sound as clumsy as I am. I can't seem to do a lot of anything without making a mess!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend
Lovely photos - love this time of year for all the fresh fruits and veggies available at the the farmer's markets.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to picking up strawberries this weekend before the season ends.
Lots of nice produce from your allotment! Our strawberries are so late this year. When I checked a day or two ago, in between downpours, there were only about 2 ripe ones (already nibbled by something!) and the rest were still green. I'm keen to try making kimchi too, but haven't taken the plunge yet.Hope yours turns out well.
ReplyDeleteI drop things all the time if that helps, and I also forget so much I am constantly writing lists of things I have already done just to remind myself they are completed. So sad about the wee bird. Hugs, MEredith
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about that baby crane. How sad. You should see my kitchen with all the lists I have going at any given time. I feel like the Absentminded Professor. I can't remember anything if I don't write it down. It was not always like this, must be getting old. I love your photos, especially that first one, it's really lovely. Hope you have a good weekend, CJ.
ReplyDeleteSo very sad about the Crane. Sad too about your fruit and veggies at the allotment being nibbled, not fair. Hope that you keep persevering with the calligraphy and that the ink doesn't get you! Let us know how you get on with the fermenting, it sounds really interesting. Thank you for joining Five On Friday, hope you have a great weekend! xx
ReplyDeleteMust be very satisfying to get to the picking stage at the allotment. I made cordial last year with elderflowers from the garden but the other two here weren't keen on it. I'm thinking elderflower gin this year, particularly as the recipe starts with 'Drink some of the gin'. Good luck with all the fermenting. I've pickled, never fermented.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos. I am so fascinated at the whole elderflower growing and making of cordial. One of the drinks I enjoy that my dear hubby makes for me includes elderflower cordial. I wonder if it would grow in Washington State??
ReplyDeleteGood job on the elderflower cordial. Maybe your son doesn't like it, but he's not really supposed to, is he? :-) I hope you show us more of your wonderful calligraphy practicing. I'm very impressed with you! Have a wonderful weekend with those sweet boys of yours. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen we were camping recently at first I thought I was seeing Queen Anne's Lace but now am thinking, thanks to your beautiful photos, that much of what I saw was Elder Flowers. I have never tasted any sort of cordial, but am drawn to the idea of making some one day. We adopted my oldest son from South Korea when he was six years old. He loved Kimchi and I experimented with making some, but he liked it so hot my tastebuds could not taste anything! In recent years I have bought fermented dill pickles from time to time,but I do not understand/remember how the fermentation process works. I hope your kimchi is delicious! xx
ReplyDeleteThe elderflower cordial looks so good, it is such a refreshing drink. How sad about the baby crane, watching Springwatch really brings home to you what precarious lives these little chicks face. xx
ReplyDeleteYour elderflower cordial looks lovely. I didn't make any this year as we still have a load in the freezer. I love kimchi but have never made it - maybe a tutorial? :) What a shame about the baby crane. I haven't seen any sign of ducklings this year - what with foxes, pike and next door's cats, it's a tough life. Enjoy the weekend. xx
ReplyDeletepoor baby crane. I read about fermented foods with interest, but I'm not brave enough to try them, let alone make them....
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of kimchi though my daughter swears by it. Your elderflower cordial looks good.
ReplyDeleteCJ, that first photo is lovely - great food styling and perfect light! :) It's great that you managed to harvest so many elderflowers - I'm just hoping I can find the berries later in the summer. You should feel good about that harvest - berries and asparagus are two of the most expensive things to buy at the farmers markets around here.
ReplyDeleteI seem to miss elderflower time every year. Thank you for reminding me about it.
ReplyDeleteJillxo
Elderflower cordial looks lush, strawberries look rather good too xx
ReplyDeleteHey CJ,
ReplyDeleteWe have had huge success with our (Olly's) strawbs this year. We planted them in big terracotta pots, and that has deterred all manner of snails and mice. I really need to get a couple of rhubarb crowns to plant out. I adore rhubarb. I was going to make elderflower gin the other day, but the house is so hideous at the moment with all the work going on, that I just couldn't be bothered. I feel that way about most things at the moment.
Not sure I'd like fermented veg. I view it with suspicion. In the same way that Alf Garnett would, I suspect.
Leanne xx
Going to get going with my second batch of elderflower cordial this morning. I bottle it in plastic bottles and freeze it. Just used the last bottle from last year xx
ReplyDeleteI too use the River cottage elderflower recipe, but I omit the oranges and used less sugar. We have had our first rhubarb too and only 2 strawberries so far! My son and his girlfriend went on a trip to the Floating ballast garden in Bristol last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. Have you ever been there? Sarah x
ReplyDeleteI haven't, but it sounds excellent, I shall look out for it. I brought home a load of rhubarb today and I've got rhubarb cordial under way now. I think I prefer the elderflower without orange as well. Love Sue's tip of adding a sprig of Sambucus Nigra to turn it pink. CJ xx
DeleteWe are now growing Sambucus Nigra in our garden so will have to try it, Sarah x
DeleteYour elderflower cordial looks amazing. I didn't get around to making any this year but I occasionally buy it and have found that the Sainsburys own version has a higher concentrate of elderflower than some of the fancier brands.
ReplyDeleteI saw some rhubarb in the supermarket recently and bought it and made your rhubarb shortbread. Oh my goodness, so so good. Thank you. xx
Bravo with the elderflower cordial, it goes well with gin and sparking water "Devon Lemonade". I've never tried fermenting food (unless you count the forgotten things at the back of the fridge), you'll have to report back on that. How long does the process take? xx
ReplyDeleteElderflower cordial is nice but, going the extra stage and fermenting to wine is even better :) If you miss the flowers you can then wait for the berries and make elderberry wine, also nice.
ReplyDeleteI took a cutting from an elder 3 or 4 years ago, it rooted very easily and now is 8ft tall, 6ft wide with a lot of flowers. I plan on taking another 5 or 6 cuttings and having a few more of them in my hedge line. Fantastic tree/bush which is often over looked since the flowers are very pretty and then the berries and the contrast of their colour to the leaves is also very nice.
Your Rhubarb looks good. Mine did well this year but sadly I haven't got enough, so 2 more crowns went in this year. My strawberries last year yielded 20+kg, this year I was only in single figures, maybe 5kg.
Keep up the excellent blog - thoroughly enjoy reading it :)