Mrs Frugal Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Elderberry Rob 4lbs elderberries weighed on stem 2x2" pieces of cinnamon stick 1 piece ginger root, bruised Grated nutmeg 1tsp allspice berries 1tsp cloves 1/2 pint water 12 oz honey to each 1 pint liquid 1/4 pint brandy Take elderberries from stalks and put in saucepan with spices and water. Bring to boil and gently simmer for 20 minutes until pan is full of juice. Put some muslin in a colan der and pour the elderberries through. Gather the sides of the muslin and squeeze out all the juice you can. Measure and return to clean saucepan. Bring the juice to the boil and add honey. Stir until it dissolves and boil for 10 minutes. Take pan off heat and wait for it to stop bubbling then pour in the brandy. Pour into hot, sterilized bottles and cork tightly. Makes about 1 and 1/2 wine bottles full. Makes a delicious warming drink - dilute one part to three parts hot water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 I don't think I'll be able to make this. Do you have any other elderberry recipes? I'm determined to make use of the ones behind the house! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted August 20, 2006 Author Share Posted August 20, 2006 I've got some elderberry jam and elderberry chutney recipes. Any good to you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 Sounds lovely, but I 've never heard of a 'Rob' before, Kate. Sounds like a sort of alcoholic cordial. How long does it keep? Presumeably doesn't need to be in the fridge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted August 20, 2006 Author Share Posted August 20, 2006 It's wonderful for colds, Christine. The elderberries help you sweat it out and the brandy - well, you forget you've got a cold . It should keep well with the brandy. Mine's in the fridge purely because I don't have room in the larder and it's over a year old now and still looks and tastes good. There is a non-alcoholic version which I've seen somewhere but the brandy really does make it nice. The recipe is from a collection of old recipes. I'd never heard of a rob before either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 I've got some elderberry jam and elderberry chutney recipes. Any good to you? Chutney please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted August 20, 2006 Author Share Posted August 20, 2006 For you, Martin, of course. This chutney gets better the longer it's kept. It comes from one of my favourite books of all time - The Magic Apple Tree by Susan Hill. Elderberry Chutney 4 pints elderberries 8oz raisins 8oz dark brown sugar 6oz onions 1oz salt cayenne pepper, mace and allspice to taste 2 pints vinegar - cider vinegar in preference Put everything in a preserving pan and stir over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Cook, stirring now and then, until it is all soft, thick and sticky but not sticking to the pan. Spoon into warm jars. Seal with plastic lids - not metal as the vinegar corrodes it and not paper as teh vinegar evaporates causing the chutney to dry out. I'll copy this into a separate topic as well in case anyone's on the look out for chutney recipes instead of boozy drinks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 Thanks, have just put some bread in the oven for my Mum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted August 20, 2006 Author Share Posted August 20, 2006 You're a star Martin ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 Yep. It's my parents anniverasy tommorow. So I'm making them bread and jam because that's what they wanted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted August 20, 2006 Author Share Posted August 20, 2006 Oh bless! What a lovely thought, Martin . Bet they'll really appreciate your efforts. Hope they have a smashing day tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 Thanks, I'm sure they'll enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Sean Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 You're a star Martin ! Is He Ive been sat all day pcking elderberrys off the stalks my fingers might fall off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Oh dear Sean, elderberries can be difficult to pick can't they? I'm sure you're parents will appreciate the team effort. Well done Martin and Sean, it sounds like you're both doing a great job. Thanks Kate, that elderberry rob recipe sounds right up my street Maybe I could persuade my little darlings to go and pick me some tomorrow whilst I'm at work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 You're a star Martin ! Is He Ive been sat all day pcking elderberrys off the stalks my fingers might fall off Sorry Sean. You are a saint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 He is getting paid. He moaned more than picked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Sean Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 He is getting paid. He moaned more than picked. That is a lie Martin !!!!!! i picked elderberries and cleaned up I worked for nearly four and a half hours!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted August 21, 2006 Author Share Posted August 21, 2006 Big brothers, eh, Sean ! They take all the credit while their younger brothers do all the hard work. We know the truth now though, don't we . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Cheeky! I did more than him Kate, honestly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted August 21, 2006 Author Share Posted August 21, 2006 Yeah! Right ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Sean Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Cheeky! I did more than him Kate, honestly. You were just stirring the chutney while i was picking even more elderberries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 That's the most important thing. Also Sean you need to update your signature. We have an eglu and 2 chooks and a rablu and 3 rabbits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
