Rose Cottage Fragrant Old English Rose Liqueur Syrup Food

ROSE COTTAGE FRAGRANT OLD ENGLISH ROSE LIQUEUR SYRUP

Steps:

• Boil the sugar and water to a clear syrup. Alow it to cool and when it is a little more than blood-warm, pour it over half a pound of fresh red rose petals. Cover it with muslin or a tea towel, and leave it in a cool, dark place for twenty-four hours.
• On the second day, strain into a clean container, and then add the second supply of rose petals.
• On the third day put in the last half pound of rose petals and leave to infuse for one more day.
• On the fourth day, strain through a muslin bag or a mesh sieve into a clean conatiner. Add the brandy; then strain again through a muslin bag or a mesh sieve, stir well and bottle.
• This liqueur syrup is delightful as a beverage, mixed with sparkling water or lemonade; it is also wonderful when added to flavour custards, creams, desserts, cheesecakes or ice creams.

ROSE GERANIUM SYRUP

Steps:

• Place water and sugar in a deep saucepan; stir until dissolved.
• Boil 5 minutes without stirring.
• Remove from heat, add rose geranium leaves, cover, and steep 10 minutes.
• Strain syrup into a clean pan and boil for 30 seconds.
• Remove From heat.
• Add a few drops of red coloring and pour into sterilized jars.

COTTAGE GARDEN ROSE-PETAL SYRUP (SWEETENED ROSE WATER)

Steps:

• Heat the water to a boil,add the sugar and turn off the heat.
• Add the rose petals, cover, turn heat to low, and let simmer for one hour until thick and syrupy. Stir in food coloring of choice.
• Strain through a filter and pour into clean (preferably sterilized) bottles, cap them and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks. May be frozen.
• Note: The darker the petals, the darker the syrup. Adding orange or yellow petals can make it brownish so a few drops of food coloring can come in handy if you think you need it.
• Try it with orange blossoms, lavender, lemon balm, red clover or rosemary (no stems). Serve in cocktails, teas, or lemonade. Great drizzled over pancakes, pound cake, fruit or ice cream! Thicken with confectioner's sugar for a cookie or cake glaze. A great base for rose jelly, and makes wonderful gifts!
• P.S. You can make a simple undistilled version of orange blossom water or rose water by omitting the sugar in this recipe.

LAVENDER OR ROSE SYRUP

Steps:

• Boil all ingredients for ten minutes, or until thickened into syrup. Add food coloring of choice.
• Strain through a filter into a clean glass jar.
• Keeps up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

MAIDS OF HONOUR - OLD ENGLISH TUDOR CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 220C/450F/gas7 and lightly grease a 12 hole bun or muffin tin.
• Roll out the pastry and stamp out 12 fluted rounds - try to make sure that they are at least 1/4" bigger than needed, as the puff pastry shrinks during baking.
• Line the bun tray with the pastry rounds and chill them whilst making the filling.
• Place the curd cheese or cottage cheese into a large mixing bowl and add the beaten eggs, cream, sugar, orange flower water or rose water and almonds.
• Mix well and then add the mixed dried fruit, mixing again well.
• Spoon the filling into the pastry cases and bake the tarts for 15-20 minutes or until well-risen, golden brown & firm to the touch.
• Allow them to cool a little and then carefully remove them and place them on a wire rack to cool completely.
• Arrange them on an attractive cake platter and sprinkle with icing sugar to serve.

MY LOVE IS LIKE A RED, RED ROSE: ROSE PETAL JAM - CONSERVE

Steps:

• Fill a large pan with the boiling water. Add half the rose petals, cover and leave to stand for two hours.
• After two hours strain off the liquid and transfer to a clean pan. Discard the steeped rose petals.
• Add the sugar to the rosewater and stir over a low heat until dissolved. Add the lime juice and remaining rose petals, reserving a handful for later.
• Bring to boiling point, reduce the heat and simmer until setting point is reached. To test for this, pour a little onto a cold saucer. Push it gently with your finger. If it wrinkles, it is ready. If not continue to simmer for a little longer.
• Add remaining rose petals and simmer gently for another three minutes then pour into a sterilised jar and seal. The rose petals should rise to the top leaving clear jelly underneath.
• Pot and cover the jam.
• Chef's tip.
• You'll need to sterilise the jars or your jam will go mouldy. Wash them thoroughly in warm, clean, soapy water, drain upside down on kitchen towel and place on a baking tray in a preheated oven at 140C/fan120C/gas 1 for 15 minutes. Turn the oven to its lowest setting and keep the jars inside while you make the jam.