Snowy Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Anyone got any good recipe ideas for blackberries? Two problems - OH doesn't like pies/crumbles etc with berries (only apples) and oldest son is allergic to apples I'm thinking along the lines of preserves or alcohols! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 I started some blackberry gin last night, as we have lots of blackberries in the wild bit at the bottom of the garden plus two thornless bushes in the veg patch, just put equalish weights of balckberries and sugar in the jar, then add gin, thought I'd give it a go after seeing the end product at Tatton yesterday at £7.20 for 200ml karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 You could do the crumble with blackberry and plum/pears . I did a plum and Raspberry crumble last night, and they went well together. Your OH will just have to drool as oldest son tucks in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 I am going to try this one this summer. Apparantly its very easy SUMMER BERRY JAM 250g each of Raspberries,Blackberries & Blueberries 750g preserving sugar Sterilise 3 jars in oven or dishwasher Put berries in large pan & heat slowley until juices run. Lightly crush fruit with back of wooden spoon,but don't reduce to a pulp. Cook for 10 mins,until just softened. Add sugar & stir over moderate heat until dissolved Bring to boil & bubble stirring for 10 - 15 mins until setting point is reached. Pour jam into jars using wide funnel. Seal with wax discs etc Will keep for a month in a cool place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 I made Bramble Vodka last year - the same way as Karen has made the Blackberry Gin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 I made Bramble Vodka last year - the same way as Karen has made the Blackberry Gin. Im going to make blackberry vodka this week. I bought my large jars from Ikea - along with many other bits and bobs but i was pleased with myself as i only spent £50! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 27, 2007 Author Share Posted August 27, 2007 Thanks all! Omletteers come up trumps again! I did make a pure blackberry crumble for tea, with custard, very nice- even OH had some! But I think the rest will go into a blackberry vodka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 This forum is SO great! I was looking trying to find the recipe for raspberry vodka thinking I would try it with blackberries then not tell anyone in case it was rubbish!! (never made any of the fruit alcohol type thingies) then I find this post with a RECIPE for blackberry vodka, and another post saying someone got their jars from the local chip shop!! Guess where I'm going in the next couple of days - to the chippy, fish, chips, mushy peas and any empty pickle jars you can give me please!! I love this forum, whatever you want to know, it's here somewhere! Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Actually, once I've put fruit sugar and vodka in the jar, then what do I do? At the minute it's stashed in a dark cupboard, is that right? MRs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 That's all I've done with my damson gin. I turn my kilner jars every day tho. they are on a shelf in the cupboard under the stairs. Nice & dark. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 I looked like a complete alcoholic this morning as i bought 3 bottles of cheap vodka before 9 am! When i got home i made blackberry, lemon and rhubarb vodka. I added the fruit, sugar and vodka and now the stuff is sitting in the jars on the kitchen unit. A couple of questions though! Do you have to store them in a dark place? If so why? How long before it is ready? When it is ready how do you filter out the fruit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 I think that keeping it in the dark, is so that the sun doesn't fade the colour of the drink??? I'm not sure. I think it's like wine, the longer you leave it, the more mature & potent! I'm probably wrong, but it was worth a try! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing Gal Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 I made blackberry jam yesterday and it turned out lovely, set perfectly and was no trouble at all to make. Much more troublesome picking the things and I have the scars to prove it. I had some on my homebaked bread for breakfast this morning. (Pecan, almond and cranberry bread.) Yes I've bought a breadmaker Anyway it was all delightful. I shall be picking more blackberries this evening and make some blackberry vodka. Yum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Just back from 'down the lane' and have returned with 4 pounds of blackberries and there are MILLIONS more still red. A bag full of elderberries, so more elderberry jelly for my Mum as she is nagging me for it! Will be making more bramble jelly as i have orders already! Think I will try the blackberry vodka too! Last year i kept the sloe gin and vodka on the side in the kitchen so i remembered to give them a shake. After 2 weeks i then put them in the dark. Not sure why, just what i read on here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 28, 2007 Author Share Posted August 28, 2007 Keeping them in the dark is to prevent the colour fading. Eldeberry jelly! Now there's an idea! Recipe pretty please Christian! I saw loads on my walk but didn't pick them - thought they were only good for wine (have made loads in the past, but not got the time this year). I don't like to see things going to waste on the hedgerows! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 28, 2007 Author Share Posted August 28, 2007 Oh, and can I make bramble jelly without apples? Will it set or would I need to add pectin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 If you use Jam Sugar it should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing Gal Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 You could also add a little lemon juice and a k"Ooops, word censored!" of butter. The lemon juice helps to add pectin (for setting) and the k"Ooops, word censored!" of butter reduces any scum. The blackberry jam I made at the weekend is 'to die for' absolutely gorgeous - never tasted such lovely jam in my whole life. Last night I picked some more blackers and made blackberry vodka. That should be rather nice come christmas time with the sloe gin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 29, 2007 Author Share Posted August 29, 2007 Thanks for that! I've now got some blackberry vodka on the go. Went on a different walk this morning and spotted several huge banks of brambles absolutely dripping with not quite ripe fruits! Guess where I'll be headed in the next few days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 Eldeberry jelly! Now there's an idea! Recipe pretty please Christian! Lots of elderberries destalked (i use a fork to strip the berries - it doesn't matter if you have some stalks as the whole lot goes into a jelly bag) Elderberries in a pan with a couple of cups of water (to cover the berries) Boil for a few minutes until the berries burst Put into a jelly bag overnight to let the juices run Measure juice - 1 pint juice to 1 pound of sugar (just ordinary sugar) 1 tablespoon lemon juice to 1 pint of elderberry juice Boil until setting point is reached Pour into sterile jars! It tastes completely different to any other jam i have had. Sort of fruity woodland if that makes sense? Last year i didnt have any lemon juice so i used a couple of handfuls of red currants instead. (boiled with the berries) Enjoy! Its nice mixed into gravy for dark meat etc ps thatnks to Dancing gal for the butter tip - making bramble jelly later! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 29, 2007 Author Share Posted August 29, 2007 Thanks for that Christian! I'd best take lots of bags next time I go out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myles Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Blackberry or Elderberry Cordial recipe 1 tablespoon whole allspice 1 tablespoon cloves 1 piece stick cinnamon 8 quarts blackberries or elderberries 2 quarts cold water 4 pounds granulated sugar 2 quarts whiskey or brandy Tie spices in a cloth bag. Pick over and wash berries. Place in preserving kettle; cover with water, and boil until thoroughly soft; then strain. Measure, and to each quart of juice add 2 cups sugar. Add spice bag and boil 20 minutes. Let cool, and measure again. To each quart of syrup, add 1 pint or whiskey or brandy. Bottle and cork tightly. Will keep; improves with age. Made this yesterday to lay away for winter, I've kept some to have as a non alcoholic cordial, mixed with hot water. It supposed to be a virus buster . I didn't have in any whole Allspice but it still tastes lovely. Oh and I used both Blackberries and Elderberries and Brandy as our boozy bit. Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
