Thoughts for Summer...

I think everyone loves the summer when we start thinking of barbecues and picnics...inviting friends over and just having fun!  I have come across some recipes that will go down a treat with all your family and friends, kids included!

For the adults, this tea will help with the over-indulgence and can be prepared in advance with enough left to give as gifts afterwards too!

Zest of 2 lemons, zest of 2 oranges, 3 inches of ginger (peeled and finely chopped), ½ small fennel bulb (trimmed and finely chopped), 1 cup of mint leaves, 1 cup dried apricots (chopped). 


Preheat oven to 250F, toss the zest, ginger and fennel together onto a greaseproof paper lined baking tray. Scatter the mind onto a second greaseproof paper lined tray and bake, rotating trays and stirring occasionally, until both are dried out. It'll take 10-15 minutes for the mint and about 40 minutes for the fruit mixture. Set aside to cool. 


Crumble the mint into a medium bowl, then add the fruit mixture, the dried fruit and toss. Steep 2 tablespoons of the mixture together with 1 cup hot water for 3 to 5 minutes per serving. Strain and serve.  This mixture can be stored in an air-tight tin before use.  Here are more recipes like this...wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes

For the perfect home made Lemonade:

1 cup sugar (can be reduced to ¾ cup)

1 cup water (for the sugar syrup)

1 cup lemon juice

3 to 4 cups cold water (to dilute)

1. Make the sugar syrup by heating the sugar and water in a small saucepan until the sugar has dissolved. 
2. Whilst the sugar is dissolving, juice 4 to 6 lemons, enough for one cup of juice. 
3. Add the juice and the sugar syrup to a jug. Add the rest of the water, more or less to the desired strength. Refridgerate for an hour. If the lemonade is a little sweet, add a little more straight lemon juice to it. 
4. Serve with ice and sliced lemons.

Have a look here for more inspiration...