Elderberry Cordial and Pancakes

Discovering my Elderberry Tree was like finding a Diamond in the Rough. Spring blossoms perfect plumes of delicate white flowers and then we wait for those dark little berries to ripen in late Summer. Did you know that elderberries are full of antioxidents and help fight colds and flus? By harvesting and storing all those berries I have managed to keep my family equipted with Vitamin C all though the long cold Winter months.

Elderflower Cordial

30 elderflower blossoms (shaken off and/or lightly washed)

2 organic lemons

2 organic oranges

2 organic limes

3 tbsp citric acid

4 cups organic cane sugar

6 cups water

Method:

• Zest all citrus, juice one of each lemon, lime, and orange. Thinly slice the rest.

• Incorporate sugar in water by heating in sauce pot till just come to boil.

• In large bowl add citrus juice, sliced citrus, zest, sugar water, and citric acid. Stir to combine and then add blossoms.

• Cover with tea towel, steep at room temperature for 2-3 days.

• Strain using sterilized cheesecloth and distribute in sterilized mason jars. Store in fridge. Keeps at least one month.

Elderflower Pancakes

1 ½ cups organic spelt flour

½ cup almond meal/flour

2 tbsps ground pumpkin seeds

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup organic whole milk

1 cup kefir or natural yogurt

2 duck eggs

3 tbsps homemade elderflower cordial

2 tbsps butter (melted then cooled)

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 tbsp orange zest (organic)

10-15 Elderflower blossoms ( trimmed using only clusters of flowers)

The `From Scratch’ Method:

1. Mix all dry ingredients together in one large bowl.

2. Combine all wet ingredients and orange zest together with whisk in separate bowl. Mix well to incorporate eggs.

3. Make a well in the center of your dry ingredients. Pour in wet ingredients and stir until combined being careful to not overwork. Small lumps are normal.

4. Adjust your consistency. If too thick add more milk.

5. Allow to rest 15-20 minutes or overnight. If left overnight let batter come to room temperature.

6. Heat non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add enough butter to just thinly coat pan.

7. Add desired amount of batter to pan spacing pancakes far enough apart so they won’t run into each other. Now sprinkle each with small clusters of elderflowers. Use your fingers to gently press down.

8. Flip over when bubbles begin to form on the surface. Continue to cook the other side.

9. Serve immediately with warm maple syrup or honey and fresh seasonal fruit.

Tizz’s Tips:

• Avoid turning the pancake more than once during the cooking process.

• You can substitute in local unpasteurized honey or cane sugar for the elderflower cordial.

• When using zest from citrus fruits always buy organic to avoid nasty chemicals.

• For elderflower fritters add more milk to batter till thin, using the stem to hold whole blossoms, dip into batter then fry.