Elderflower

DESCRIPTION

Elderflower are out from early June to end of June, beginning of July. They grow EVERYWHERE, literally. All over London, along hedgerows in the countryside, on the outskirts of town, even behind a garage at the end of my road in Kensal Rise. Pick them when they are just blooming (the withered ones aren't much good for cooking as the flowers drop off pretty easily) and make a tempura batter with a splash of grappa (my mate Blanche makes these, so did Stevie Parle and I for our supper we cooked at his Dock Kitchen for the OFM food awards a few weeks back). Dip the flower heads in the batter and deep-fry, then sprinkle with Maldon Salt. Deeeeelicious and what's more deeply romantic to go foraging with flowers and then cover them in a feather-weight batter to feed to your loved one. Otherwise make the cordial (lots of it) and drink it throughout the year, feeling very pleased.