Pontack (Elderberry sauce)

[Harpo]

The wild berry season is nigh and the local elderberry trees are starting to droop with ripe berries, so before the birds got them I decided to and knocked up his old fashioned sauce last night.

To be used with winter stews, liver, gravies, game & dare I suggest smoked troot

Pick yer ripe berries
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Remove them from the stalks - a table fork is the tool for this
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Add 500 ML Cider Vinegar per 500g prepared berries
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Cover and put in a low oven for a few hours, remove and leave to steep over night & sieve into a pan, getting out as much juice as possible.
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Add your spicey wintery seasonings & simmer for 20-25 minutes
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Sieve again and simmer for a further 5 minutes and pour the sauce into sterilised bottle/s
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Folklore advises that you leave it for 7 years before consuming, but a couple of months will be fine and it get's better as it gets older.

Seize the day, the berries are ripe now and the birds are hungry    

[RichardL]

Looks superb stu. Looking forward to trying it.

[Harpo]

Looks superb stu. Looking forward to trying it.

Aye, you can try it 1st :shock:

[paulr]

I'm getting worried about you pair.I reckon you've been watching too much Hugh Fernly-Whittingstall.

[Otter Spotter]

Nice one Stu!

I bet that'd be lovely drizzled on a vol au vent or as a coulis with some artichoke hearts  :makefun

But seriously I expect you to bring me some next time we are out as it looks genuinely tasty!
Paulscott

[Harpo]

I'm getting worried about you pair.I reckon you've been watching too much Hugh Fernly-Whittingstall.

Aye that's me that watches too much River Cottage , I suppose your idea of foraging for food is hanging roon the back of Greggs waiting for the old pasties to get thrown out :roll:

I prefer to use my berries for alcoholic concoctions!

yeah I did consider Elderberry Port but don't have the rooms for Demijohns etc, have got plans for Bramble Gin though :

[Harpo]

Now don't laugh ... I know this sounds horrendous (although not, I'll admit, as bad as Mushroom Vodka), but try bramble whisky. Honestly - absolutely splendid!

I'm afraid I really don't like whisky, so the addition of brambles would probably make it much nicer to me.

Element - if you have the berries in your back garden, give it a go. other versions of the recipe are online.
make sure you have the windows open when cooking with cider vinegar it's eye watering stuff !

I've never seen any sloes round edinburgh, do you make Gin with them?

Cheers

Stuart