Strawberry Vodka

Well, another day, another blog! I have decided to start this blog to share recipes and talk about my occasional foraging efforts. Those of you who know me will be aware of my love of cheap, nay, free food. I have a minuscule food budget and am, therefore, creative when it comes to feeding my brood. I also love to spoil my friends with the fruits of my labours; be it in providing them with yummy meals or edible gifts. Things don't always go to plan but when they do one is left with a marvellous feeling of a job well done! Besides, I get a great deal of enjoyment from growing edibles & collecting them from the wild. And another thing...Ms Monkey does not do processed food! I think the latest scares regarding horsey meat show that you just don't know what you are getting!

 

And so, let us start with a subject close to Ms Monkey's heart.....BOOZE!

Isabel looks longingly at Ms Monkey's little tipple....but we say No, kitteh!

 

This recipe is best done in early summer, when strawberries abound in our native land, rather than having been flown in from foreign parts. It's always better to buy local; for both the local economy and for the planet. We've passed 'peak oil' don't you know...anyway eco rant over. As Valentine's day has just passed, there are plenty of 'just passed' their sell by date strawberries about.

It's immensely satisfying to grow one's own but mine never make it to the plate, let alone having enough to spare for creating this tasty drink! I, therefore, make use of the local 'pick your own' establishment. It's great fun to stroll along, picking the choicest fruit...and munching on one or two whilst one is at it! Strangely, the boys don't seem to enjoy it as much as I do...who would've thought? I recommend using traditional red strawberries, rather than the new 'white' varieties, because of the wonderful red colour they infuse...I'm sure there is little between them on flavour but I do love the colour. An interesting alternative might be to use alpine strawberries...but again, mine get eaten straight of the plant. Patience is not my middle name...

STRAWBERRY LIQUEUR
Ingredients:   2kg strawberries approx
                      2kg white sugar
                      70cl vodka

Equipment:   demi-john or large Kilner type jar
                      air lock or lid
                      jelly sack or muslin for straining
                      nice bottles...clean ones will do
                      stoppers, corks, screw tops etc  

Method:        Can you tell I'm a scientist yet? Slice your strawberries into quarters, removing all leaf material, and place within the receptacle you have chosen. Gently pour the sugar over the top. Pour in the vodka, pop the lid on and give your demi-john or jar a damn good shake or stir. Place the container somewhere warm; an airing cupboard or sunny window sill is fine.

 

The concoction will need to be shaken or stirred once a day until the sugar has dissolved. This should be about a week. Once the sugar has all disappeared, put the concoction somewhere warm and dark and leave it for about a month. You will notice that the liquid will turn red and the strawberries themselves will drain to a sickly white colour.

The liquid should be strained through a jelly sack or muslin to remove the fruit...give it a good squeeze and/or leave it over night, depending on how you are going to use the fruit. Don't throw away that fruit...pop it in a container in the fridge and then, it can be used in pale, strangely coloured & flavoured, boozy jams or dried in a dehydrator for fruit leathers or sticky treats...recipes to follow!