7.03.2011

ginger syrup and rose water

This is what the countertop looks like right now. That's bluebarb (blueberry and rhubarb) jam left over from last year, and it is sooooo good.
 
 Also in the kitchen (although I brought them into the dining room for better light), two very fun and easy things I've made lately. On the left, ginger syrup. It is so good, you won't be able to stand it. I actually had some, still warm, drizzled over oat squares cereal last night. Yes, we need some groceries. Including club soda, to make our own ginger ale! Wouldn't it be cute in a small glass bottle with those adorable striped straws?

Ginger syrup
1 1/2 cups chopped ginger (in a food processor works best)
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 1/2 cups water
Combine in saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer for awhile, until the syrup thickens and darkens. For me, this was the time it took me to make five batches of soap, so about an hour and fifteen minutes. Strain, and add to sparkling water for your own pop (or soda, for you Americans), drizzle over vanilla ice cream, or try any of these. Oooh, drizzled over a cake would be wonderful.

And on the right is some rose water. (In a Le Parfait jar I found at Frenchy's.) It could not be easier, or smell better.
Rose water
1 cup rose petals
2 cups boiling water
Place petals in a heatproof bowl or jar. Pour boiling water over petals, and cover. Let steep for half an hour, strain out petals and let cool. It smells amazing, is so pretty, and makes a lovely toner for your skin. It can be used in recipes, and it can be used for many other purposes, too!

Also in the garden, we're waiting for these silver dollar seed pods to turn silver. Phillip's very excited for 'the coins to be ready'.

I just overhead Phillip say "I need to do downward facing dog!" The boys are doing their morning stretches. He's also started saying 'lovely' a lot lately. Which is, of course, adorable.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend!

7 comments:

  1. Oh YUM! I'm totally making the ginger syrup. I love ginger, though I'm pretty much the only one around here (germans aren't big on ginger somehow). Thanks for the recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, I'm glad! Let me know how you like it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sherrie,

    Are you using wild or cultivated roses for the rose water? Thank you. Margaret Jeddry

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Margaret! I used roses that we have in our yard that I know haven't been sprayed. They're the same ones that grow along the beaches here (which aren't the ones pictured). Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sherrie,

    Can't wait to try this with wild French Shore roses!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am brand new to you blog and loving it! I have your ginger syrup bubbling away. I was thinking, wonder what it would taste like with a splash of my homemade vanilla extract? Hmmmm...

    BTW, you have a beautiful home and I know someone will scoop it up! We just bought an old hundred year plus farmhouse ourselves for a redo. It will be fun!!

    Beth in Yorktown, VA

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Beth! I hope that your syrup turned out perfectly. And I'll bet some of that vanilla would only make it better! We actually had a showing this afternoon, and haven't heard back yet. Our fingers are crossed! Your house looks great - I especially love the floors. And I can't wait to see an update! So much work, but it's worth it. :) Take care!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for your comments - I read and appreciate each one! Sorry about the word verification - the spammers found me and it became necessary. Thanks for taking the time to comment!