Berry cordial

The kids will love this home-made berry cordial! 

Makes

3 cups

Ingredients

• 500g frozen mixed berries, thawed
• 2 teaspoons tartaric acid (see note)
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1 1/2 cups caster sugar
• 1 cup boiling water

 

Method

1. Place berries, tartaric acid, lemon juice and sugar in a heatproof bowl. Add boiling water. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Strain through a sieve, pressing with the back of a spoon, into a large, heatproof jug. Pour into hot, sterilised bottles and seal. Refrigerate until chilled.
2. To serve: Use 1/3 cup cordial to 2/3 cup chilled sparkling mineral water or iced water. Serve with frozen raspberries.

 

Notes

Tartaric acid is a plant-derived preservative that prevents sugar crystallising and enhances flavour.

Chocolate mousse log

Make this relaxing, flavour-filled dessert a part of your Christmas banquet. 

Ingredients (serves 8)

• 180g dark chocolate, chopped
• 2 eggs, separated
• 3/4 cup thickened cream
• 2 tablespoons instant espresso coffee powder
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• 250g packet chocolate chip cookies
• 250g strawberries, halved
• Icing sugar mixture, to serve

 

Method

1. Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Place bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, making sure bowl doesn't touch water. Heat, stirring occasionally with a metal spoon, for 3 to 4 minutes or until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Cool slightly. Add egg yolks. Stir until smooth.
2. Using an electric mixture, beat cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold half the cream into chocolate mixture until smooth. Fold in remaining cream.
3. Wash and dry beaters and bowl. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold into chocolate mixture. Cover. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until just firm.
4. Place coffee and boiling water in a heatproof bowl. Stir to dissolve coffee. Cool.
5. Dip top half of biscuits into coffee mixture. Sandwich biscuits with chocolate mixture on a plate to form a log shape. Spread log with remaining chocolate mixture, swirling chocolate to give a rough texture. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight (see note).
6. Top with strawberries. Dust with icing sugar. Serve.

 

Notes

Refrigerating log overnight lets the biscuits soften and become cake-like.