Elderflower fritters!

Yes - it's that time again - with the elderflowers scattering their fragrance around. We can steal a little of it for later by making elderflower cordial, but even more fun we can make elderflower fritters!

Elderflowers checked for critters and ready to go

The fritter is really just the flowers, but the stalks can be used as a handle to make them easier to eat. Elder needs to be heated to make it healthy to eat, so a little deep-fat frying is ok (but just a little!). We chose the smallest saucepan that would do the job, and only put in just enough fat to cover a fritter, so we didn't waste too much.

Recipe

1 egg
50g flour
100ml milk
25g sugar.

Blend all ingredients together until smooth. Heat fat until a drip of water spits. Meanwhile check elderflowers for "passengers" and any old flowers that are browning. Dip individual flowerheads into the batter, lift, allow to drip for a few seconds then place in the oil until they have become a golden brown. Drain on a paper towel and then eat the fritter part, leaving the stalks.

Using stalk as a handle to dip the flowers in batter

Fritter quickly turns golden brown

Everyone loved these, and we made lots. There's still plenty of elder left though, so the birds will be happy, and we'll have enough berries for ourselves to make cough syrup.

Ray acts as food taster!