Laura's Sloe

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 Slow- sloe- not very quick -quick -sloe!




                           Coutdown- only 85 days to go!


Lovely week- had my gorgeous daughter to stay which was fabulous although she does commandeer the study and the cat, plus I have to go to the Boulangerie every morning to get fresh pain au chocolat. I also have to confess that as she had the Monday off (bank holiday) we did not watch the funeral but went to a Spa instead- I am sure her Majesty would not have minded.

Our lovely friend Irene came to stay for a long weekend- she baked apple turnovers for Tim, cooked a roast dinner and helped us to collect lots of sloes- top guest, please come back soon!

Talking of Boulangeries - they really are something quite amazing. When I took my daughter into our local Marie Blachere she asked me why I had never taken her there before, it truly is wall to wall dough. I've seen people in Paris take a croissant into a bar with them so they just have to buy a coffee- very civilised! Apparently, you should not put butter on a croissant as it has plenty of butter in it already but who's watching!!

Our local Boulangerie is lovely too but the owner must think I am a bit strange as I am either in there every day or  I do not go for weeks- it just depends if we have guests. It's not just because they are bad for the waistline that we don't go every day but also because we can't be bothered to drive down there (this is rural France remember. Heaven only knows what size I would be if we lived in a town).

So, onto making Sloe gin- bit confusing as the recipes all mention different quantities but as you are making it yourself it's up to you, I personally don't like it too sweet as it tastes like cough medicine (and what is wrong with that I hear you say) I had flu one Winter and I swear sloe gin got me through it.  You do have a long wait but it is a really lovely drink and very festive. Put it into a nice bottle with a sticker on it and it makes a great Christmas pressie too- well that's my Christmas shopping sorted. 


 

  


                Recipe for Sloe Gin - a perfect festive tipple

                          For every 500 g of sloes (washed and pricked to release juice or you can freeze them overnight as that breaks the skin) 250g of castor sugar and 1 litre of cheap gin. You can alter the quantities to make it sweeter/more boozier.

  • Pour into any sterilised bottles or jars and turn every day for a few weeks (you will see the colour get darker) and then when you remember and it will be ready for Christmas. Strain it and put it into sealable bottles and enjoy!


                          Santa's little helpers- I hope they don't expect me to give them any!

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