When I visited my parents a few weeks ago, Dad had just finished pouring something gorgeously glisteningly yellow into jars. I asked what it was, and he replied "Lemon Marmalade. With Elderflower." I begged until I was given one of the jars. (Come on, wouldn't you have?)
He made it with lemons that he had first used to make Elderflower Cordial. My parents have an elderflower tree in their backyard, and occasionally my dad makes cordial from it. He keeps it in the freezer, and likes to drink it with gin. It's made with a lot of lemons, and after the cordial was done, he used a stick blender to cut up the lemons, added sugar, and boiled until it was marmalade. Amazingly easy - or so it sounded.
It's delicious on toast, or on crackers. Yum. Thanks dad!
8 comments:
I would have begged too, I can't imagine asking my dad for his marmalade though *grin* your very lucky :)
I know, I am! Dad is really good in the kitchen - he doesn't cook a lot, but when he does.. mmm.
Amy, that's a good question! It's one of those flavors that's so hard to describe, you really need to try it. Elderflower is *very* flowery, it tastes almost perfume-y. Thus, a little goes a long way. Try some elderflower cordial if you can find it - it's pretty much the one thing we do with elderflowers, although you can then use the cordial for other things. (Like icecream - elderflower and lemon sorbet - yum!)
Looks gorgeous, sounds divine! : )
anne, would it be possible to post the elderflower cordial recipe? I tried making some a few years ago, but my recipe called for apple vinegar, which I didn't like that much, lemons sound much better. especially lots of lemons :-)
Bix, I'll have to ask my dad how he does it. I think it's really simple (something like elderflowers, lemons and water, and.. sugar. Loads of sugar) but I'll ask for quantities!
That would be wonderful! :-)))
Here in germany it's nearly impossibble to find elderflower cordial. And if, then mostly with lots of additives which tend to destroy its delicate flavor. So I'm very much looking forward to your recipe.
Anne, I've just discovered that you've published your recipe on the main page. Thanks a lot, that's really great, and I can't wait to try it out. Maybe I could tickle the elder trees outside a bit so they'll start to bloom again? Or maybe I'll find some still blooming trees in a colder region? But even if I have to wait until next summer, just by reading the recipe I'm sure that it'll taste much, much better than my apple vinegar variety. And the marmalade will as well be a lovely present to a friend of mine who is very fond of lemon marmalade -- if I manage to keep a jar or two ... ;o)
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