Saft Recipes

HOMEMADE BERRY CORDIAL RECIPE

Steps:

• Wash the berries, no need to remove all leaves and vines. Discard rotten and bruised berries.
• In the casserole that fits the cordial steamer snuggly, fill with water, leaving 2.5in (3cm) at the top. Top with the cordial steamer and pin the tube so the juice doesn't come out.
• In the cordial steamer, layer berries and sugar. Place the lid on and place something heavy on top. Do not open the lid during the steaming process.
• How long it will steam depends on your berries, but my red currant cordial needs about 80-90 minutes. It's usually not less than an hour, although raspberries, plums and pears need less, about 45 minutes.
• When it's done, take the pin off the tube and fill your sterilized glass bottles. Keep in a cool and dark place.
• Add the washed berries and water to a large casserole. Let it boil (covered with a lid) until the berries are pale and have released most of their juices. Make sure the berries don't break, as this will make your cordial cloudy.
• Add a damp old kitchen towel or cheesecloth to a large colander and the colander over a new casserole or big bowl. Pour the berry water in. Let this drip for at least one hour, do not help it as this will also make the cordial cloudy.
• Once it's done, pour the berry water back into a large saucepan along with sugar (and spices if using). Bring this up to a boil, remove foam with a spoon and once the foam is gone, pour into sterilized glass bottles. Keep in a cool and dark place.
• This method retains the most amount of nutrients in the berries, but it is also the one that keeps the worst. Plus, it needs more sugar to help preserve the cordial.
• Add washed berries to a blender or mash in a large bowl. You may need some water to help mash it. Pour over water and lemon juice (or citric acid/tartaric acid). Let this mixture sit overnight.
• Strain it through a sieve covered in a cheesecloth or damp old kitchen towel - remember to keep a bowl underneath. Combine with sugar. Pour into sterilized glass bottles.
• This will keep for up to 3 weeks in the fridge, but the best way to preserve it is to freeze it! To freeze: pour into smaller bottles, leaving some room as the liquid expands once frozen.
• When ready to serve, add 1 part cordial with 4 parts water to a glass. You may want more or less water depending on your own preference. Delicious both warm and cold, in a gløgg for Christmas or in this blackberry martini!

BERRY SAFT

Steps:

• Bring blackberries and water to a boil in a large pot until blackberries are softened, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and mash berries using a potato masher.n
• Line a sieve with cheese cloth; place over a large pot. Pour mashed berries through cheese cloth-line sieve; let sit until all liquid has drained through cheese cloth, about 30 minutes. Stir 1 pound sugar per 1/2 gallon of drained blackberry juice.n
• Bring blackberry juice and sugar to a boil in a pot; cook until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Skim off any residue accumulated on top.n
• Sterilize jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack hot saft into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings. Store in refrigerator.n

LINGONSAFT - SCANDINAVIAN LINGONBERRY JUICE

Steps:

• Wash or defrost berries. Place berries in saucepan with water. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat; simmer until berries begin to pop (about 15 minutes).
• Remove saucepan from burner and drain berries in a cheese cloth-lined sieve or juice bag over a large, glass bowl. Crush the cooked berries with a potato masher to release the additional juice.
• If using juice as a beverage, sweeten to taste with up to 1 cup sugar; return to saucepan and heat for 2-3 minutes until sugar is dissolved. Remove from burner, cool, and refrigerate (Note: juice can also be canned or frozen for future use).

SAFT GLOGG (SWEDISH FRUIT JUICE GLOGG)

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler, cut colored portion from orange in single spiral.
• Reserve orange for another purpose.
• In a large pot combine orange peel and the next five ingredients.
• Let stand 4 hours.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat.
• Reduce to low; simmer 30 minutes.
• Serve hot or cold in punch cups with a few raisins and almonds in each serving.

SOFT OATMEAL COOKIES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, cream together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in oats. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls, and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Flatten each cookie with a large fork dipped in sugar.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.