my promised rosemary | Page 2 | Food Production and Preservation | Forums

Here is my violet syrup recipe: Pour 2 cups of boiling water over 4 cups of violet flowers, let steep overnight. In the morning, strain out the flowers and squeeze them out into a pot or kettle, add the rest of the violet water to the kettle, I HIGHLY recommend using distilled water because the acidity of tap water changes the color too much and you end up with red instead of violet or blue colored jelly. Add 4 cups of sugar and bring it to a boil, once boiling, boil for 2 minutes. Skim if necessary and pour into jars. Process in a water bath for 10 mins. This is awesome on pancakes, waffles, cornbread etc. I also used it as ice cream topping and in a glass of sprite for a pretty color and it added a ton of sweetness which I didn't like but to each their own.

For dandelion jelly: pick 10 cups of dandelion flowers,no stems, cut off the green base of the flowers leaving just petals, a few bits of green are okay. Pour 4 cups of boiling water over the petals and let steep until room temperature or overnight, overnight is better. Boil your jars and lids and keep them hot while you make the jelly. Strain out the flowers. Add 3 1/2 cups of sugar, 1 box of powdered pectin and 2 Tablespoons of strained lemon juice. Bring this all to a rolling boil. Boil for 3 minutes. Skim off the foam, add a 1/2 tsp of flavored extract your choice. fill your already hot jars. I just left my jars on the counter with a towel over them until they all popped and presto! I did not process them or anything, just let them sit.

Enjoy! Very easy peasy

The latest rosemary update picture, I'm so excited it's still alive! I have also included some of my other plants that I am growing since this is my first ever successful garden on my own. yes I am container gardening most of them, I have cucumbers and bell peppers that I will plant in raised beds hopefully this weekend, if hubby gets them made, if not, I may have to take matters into my own hands because the poor babies are very unhappy in their pots.

So we have, rosemary, a leek and lavender here and since it won't let me put more than 3 pics in I guess you don't get to see the entire garden after all.