Make Your Own Candied Angelica Food

HOMEMADE CANDIED ANGELICA - FOR CAKES, BAKES AND DESSERTS

Steps:

• Please note, in order to have this recipe posted, I had to put in quantities - they are approximate, depending on how many stems you are candying!
• Cut angelica stalks in their 2nd year. Unlike many other plants, the big stalks are better as long as they are still green (not purple or white).
• De-leaf, remove leaf stalks and cut into pieces of about 6 inches, and soak in cold water for about 8 hours.
• Boil water and plunge the stalks inches Boil until the stalks begin to soften (add about half teaspoon of baking soda per pint of water to keep the vivid green colour, which is associated with 'real' candied angelica that is found in France) It also helps to soften.
• Cool under running water, drain, then peel removing the long stringy parts on the outside of the stalks.
• Put them into a syrup made up of of 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup water; soak for 24 hours.
• Cook in them in the syrup and repeat once a day for four days, by which time the angelica should be translucent without losing shape.
• Remove the angelica stems from the pan and let them drain on a covered rack or screen until dry and glossy.
• N.B.(You can roll the stems in caster sugar, BEFORE drying them on the rack/screen if you wish.).
• Store in an airtight tin or jar, and in a cool, dark place; they will last for up to 2 years in the right storage conditions.
• Cut the stems into appropriate lengths and use to decorate cakes, trifles, desserts or ice cream sundaes.

ANGELICA BUTTER

Steps:

• Soften the butter in a small bowl. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Spread the mixture on a sheet of plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm. Roll into a log shape and wrap in plastic wrap. The log can be frozen until needed. Slice into coin-sized pieces and melt over grilled or sautéed fish before serving.

MAKE YOUR OWN CANDIED ANGELICA!

Steps:

• Working in dry weather, start with about 2 pounds young, tender angelica stalks and stems. Cut them into even lengths and put them into a glass or ceramic bowl.
• Bring 2 cups water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil and pour over the angelica, weighting with a plate so it's fully submerged. Cover and let soak 2 hours.
• Drain the angelica, peel off and discard the stringy outer celery-like layer, then rinse under cold water.
• Make sugar syrup by bringing 3 cups sugar and 3 cups water to a boil.
• Simmer the angelica in the syrup for 20 minutes, or until tender and transparent. Remove and drain, reserving the syrup. Spread the angelica in a single layer on a wire rack and leave to drain and dry for 4 days.
• Boil the angelica in the syrup again for 10 minutes, adding water if the syrup is too thick, and drain on a wire rack for 4 days longer.
• Dust with granulated sugar and store in an airtight container, cutting into decorative bits as needed. This recipe may also be used to candy fennel stalks.

CHRISTMAS FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine well the glacéed fruits, the raisins, the currants, 1/2 cup of the cherries, 1/2 cup of the angelica, and 3/4 cup of the rum and let the fruits macerate, covered, overnight.
• Line the bottom of a well-buttered 9 1/2-inch springform pan with a round of wax paper and butter the paper. Into a small bowl sift together the flour, the baking powder, the salt, the nutmeg, and the ginger. In the bowl of an electric mixer cream together the butter and the brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy and beat in 4 of the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Drain the fruit mixture in a sieve set over the batter and beat the juices into the batter. Pat the fruits dry between several thicknesses of paper towels and in a bowl toss them with 1/3 cup of the flour mixture. Stir in the remaining flour mixture into the batter, one fourth at a time, stir in the fruit mixture, the ground almonds, and the walnuts, stirring until the mixture is just combined, and turn the batter out into the prepared pan.
• Put 2 loaf pans, each filled with hot water, in a preheated 300°F. oven and put the springform pan between them. Bake the cake for 1 hour, brush the top with the remaining egg, beaten lightly, and bake the cake for 1 hour more. While the cake is baking, in a saucepan melt the apricot jam with the remaining 1 tablespoon rum over moderate heat, bring the mixture to a boil, and strain it through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on the solids.
• Let the cake cool in the pan on a rack for 30 minutes, remove the side of the pan, and invert the cake onto the rack. Remove the pan bottom and the wax paper very carefully, invert the cake onto another rack, and let it cool completely. Arrange the additional cherries and angelica decoratively on the cake, brush the top of the cake with some of the apricot glaze, reserving the remaining glaze for another use, and store the cake, wrapped in plastic wrap and foil. The cake keeps, covered, for 6 months.