Homesick

Today is just one of those days when the only place I would like to be is curled up beside the fire at home - well my mums place. (I guess I really should get used to calling this place (Germany) home.) I think the weather is feeling with me because it's chucking it down out there and don't call me weird but I actually do love a bit of rain. It reminds me of home.

Elderflower Cordial

So like promised, here is the recipe for Elderflower cordial:

Prep time: 20 Minutes
Cooking time: 10 Minutes
Level: Easy

Ingredients:
20 fresh Elderflower heads, stalks trimmed
1.5 Litres water
2.5 Kg Sugar (granulated or caster)
2 Unwaxed Lemons
85g Citrus acid (Edible)

Method:
1. Put the sugar and water into the largest saucepan you have. Gently heat, without boiling, until the sugar has dissolved. Give it a stir every now and again. Pare the zest from the lemons using a potato peeler, then slice the lemons into rounds. 

2. Once the sugar has dissolved, bring the pan of syrup to the boil, then turn off the heat. Fill a washing up bowl with cold water. Give the flowers a gentle swish around to loosen any dirt or bugs. Lift flowers out, gently shake and transfer to the syrup along with the lemons, zest and citric acid, then stir well. Cover the pan and leave to infuse for 24 hrs. 

3. Line a colander with a clean tea towel, then sit it over a large bowl or pan. Ladle in the syrup - let it drip slowly through. Discard the bits left in the towel. Use a funnel and a ladle to fill sterilised bottles (run glass bottles through the dishwasher, or wash well with soapy water. Rinse, then leave to dry in a low oven). The cordial is ready to drink straight away and will keep in the fridge for up to 6 weeks. Or freeze it in plastic containers or ice cube trays and defrost as needed.

Tips:
- Once you have filtered out the flowers and lemons, bring the mixture to the boil again before  bottling it, this will help keep it a bit longer.
- For a refreshing summer drink, mix the Elderflower cordial with sparkling wine and fresh mint leaves. Serve on ice. 

Enjoy!!


Recipe taken from BBC Goodfood, created by Jane Hornby.

Graffiti update...

When I got of the tram this morning... It was gone! Stupid city. Well, back to boring tram stops!

Graffiti

Getting of the tram this morning I was greeted by this (in my opinion) amazing graffiti. How they artist managed it without getting caught is beyond me but I'm glad they managed cos the tram stops here are not the most beautiful places to be - now at least I have something to look at.

 

Summer is here...

Summer really has arrived in Stuttgart, at least the weather says so. It's warm everyday and even If the sun isn't shining, it's nice enough to sit outside without a jacket. I love it. But I'm sure it won't be long till I start complaining that it's far too hot! Let's enjoy it now while it's still bearable!
Last week a friend came to stay and we went for a walk around Stuttgart picking elderflower to make cordial. We found soo much! Im not Even sure if we're allowed to pick it but no one stopped us or said anything so we carried on!
The recipe is so easy, I'll post it later for you all to try. Just remember, it cordial so don't be shocked with the amount of sugar that goes in!! I know I was.
Last night I was invited to a BBQ and as my 'bring something' I took a small bottle of cordial with me. It was an absolute hit! The best way to drink it is with sparkling wine, ice and mint leaves. Unfortunately we didn't have any ice or mint but it tasted great even without it!!

Have a great Monday everyone!

New iPhone!!

I'm sorry but i gave in to the new 'thing'! And after waiting for what seemed like forever- my iPhone finally arrived! Now I can post 'on the go'!! I have no idea how this all works but I guess that's the fun of it all.
See? I can even add photos! This is the view from my desk at home, beautiful! It however does tend to be far more interesting then what I'm supposed to be learning for school.

BBQ season has started

It hard to believe but at the moment the temperature here in Stuttgart is ranging between 16 and 20 degrees, and this is only March! Last week I was at school, which means that sometimes I'm finished at 1 o'clock! I tried to get out as much as possible but with so much to learn for tests etc, I didn't really get the chance to just go and sit in the park. However yesterday we went to Schlosspark to have a BBQ. It was such a lovely day, and everyone and his dog was there to grill and have fun.

I hope you're all enjoying this wonderful weather!