Years ago, I researched buying a grain mill and mixer, finding a source for wheat, and then book in hand going through the process step by step until I had successfully baked my own bread. After many flops, and lots of bread-crumb topped casseroles and salads with croutons, bread is baked here in our home each week either by me (rarely anymore) or one of the children. (I aim to teach them around age 9). We don't look at the how-to manuals anymore nor consult the recipe (unless we're trying something new).
Recently, I made cough syrup, which is something I've been aiming to do for several winters now. It was really quite simple once I had acquired the ingredients and watched a how-to video on the internet. Nothing smells better than fresh grated ginger...especially simmering.
Here's what:
1/2 lb. dried elderberries
1 cinnamon stick or 2 or 3 :)
5 whole cloves
2 cups water
2 tbs grated fresh ginger root
1 cup of honey
I also tossed in 2 pieces of licorice root
and a handful of wild cherry bark that I
had on hand.
Here's how:
bring all to a boil
simmer covered until reduced to half (20 to 30 mins)
strain through cheesecloth
label, store
I put mine in recycled brown glass bottles. Better to use glass than plastic and the dark glass helps preserve the properties of the herbs. Prior to this I had "Sambucol" syrup on hand. It is so expensive that I felt a bit stingy with it...definitely not willing to bestow the recommended dose (to all nine of us at home) on a a daily basis. This homemade version however, I KNOW costs less. Peter dutifully caught a cold just after I made this and either this stuff is working or wonderfully or it's not too bad of a bug. Time will tell whether this will become another must make item for me.
Next on the list to learn to make: Soy Candles!! We all love candles here. I recently bought several at a 40% discount and they were still around 11$ each!
