Summer is cordially invited....

Summer, it is now officially autumn and you are cordially invited to go home now. It is 37 degrees Celsius (98 Fahrenheit) as I write this. I wish I could be one of those people that thrive in the heat, mostly due to the fact their well tanned athletic bodies are suitably attired in summer skimpies but I'm not.  The closest image I can conjure up, being a food blog, for me in Summer is pork crackling, yes oh so tasty but not very happy. I think it is just because it is so horribly uncomfortable, you dry off from the shower, get your clothes and you're wet again. Plus I burn, you think you need to watch toffee because it burns in a second, I can go to the cloths line and back and get burnt.
The happiest summer I every spent was in Rome, well their winter,our summer. AB would tell me about the 40 degree days and I would simply put another log on the fire,and think about the snow, bliss.

Casa mia in a Roma, It looks like I was actually doing home work (i compiti) Bravo!

 

I'm sorry to all the summer lovers, I promise to patiently listen to all your whinging about  how freezing you are, while just pass you some warm soup and bread. 
Try this cordial to keep you cool during this trying time

Don't just use them as decoration

Lime Cordial

Ingredients

• 4 litres of water
• 1.5 cup of sugar
• 12 limes
• 1 tablespoon of citric acid (optional)

Method

• Add water and sugar and citric acid to a saucepan
• Zest all the limes and add to the pan
• Stir to dissolve sugar and simmer just below boiling for about 30 minutes.
• Add the juice of all the fruit, strained to avoid pips.
• Leave to cool
• Store cordial in bottles, mine is usually go in an week.
• I used some lemonade instead of water to dilute it with some fizz. 

 Lighting changes the colour

Orange, Lemon and Lime Cordial

This is a budget saving recipe for those horrible days of summer where you just pray for some snow. Summer and I have never been friends.
This cordial is beyond easy, it really is just heating water, everyone can do that..I hope!
There is a real joy in the DIY homemade, you can create a gem with the stuff you have in the fridge.

Orange, Lemon and Lime Cordial

Ingredients

• 2 litres of water
• 1 cup of sugar
• 4 oranges
• 1 lemon
• 1 lime
• 1 tablespoon of citric acid (optional)

Method

• Add water and sugar and citric acid to a saucepan
• Zest all the fruit and add to the pan
• Stir to dissolve sugar and simmer just below boiling for about 30 minutes.
• Add the juice of all the fruit, strained to avoid pips.
• Leave to cool
• Strain cordial into bottles.( I didn't strain this one as the zest is ultra soft)

To use just dilute with water to your preference, weak vs strong. Or serve in a jug with more slices of fruit and some mint. (mint not pictured blame summer!!)

A splash of vodka and ice could achieve a delightful beverage for responsible adults only