Plenty of good news around at the moment: It’s our twenty-fifth birthday, the sun has got his hat on and Andymonium is in full swing as the super Scot reaches the semi-finals at SW19.
And here’s some more good news – it’s competition time!
The Great Belvoir Buffet
So let’s suppose we were inviting thousands of you to our big birthday bash. We’d take care of the soft drinks, obviously. But we’d like you all to bring a plate of Belvoir-related nosh. Or a jug of your best cordial-infused cocktail.
What would you bring?
Perhaps a tasty cheesecake that makes splendid use of our elderflower cordial? Or maybe some lime & lemongrass muffins? You might have your own twist on the Dragon’s Breath cocktail that you’d like the world to sample.
You don’t to need to be the world’s best chef. We’re just looking for ideas – or even novel ways of presenting them.
Feel free to include recipes with your suggestions, or – since it’s become a theme here at Belvoir On For Britain – deliver them using verse and rhyme.
To be in with a chance of winning, just pop your suggestion into the comment box below.
Five lucky winners will each receive a limited edition Belvoir Fruit Farms cordial jug, a box of Belvoir tumblers and we’ll throw in a bottle of cordial to fill them, too.
Good luck!
(Not very interesting terms and conditions can be found here.)
61 Comments
I love pavlova and you can’t beat a summer pavlova covered in cream and summer fruits, mixed berries or nectarine covered in passion fruit are my favourite. Add a dash of Belvoir Elderflower Pressé to the cream will give the cream an added depth and yuminess – right I am off to the kitchen!
I would bring Strawberry and Elderflower jelly.
Packet of strawberry jelly cubes required.
Mix up strawberry jelly cubes as per instructions but instead of using ordinary water, use water mixed with Elderflower cordial.
It makes a very fragrant and delicious jelly which would go well with vanilla icecream.
lovely and refreshing for this hot weather!!!
mint tea
A tub of elderflower sorbet, nothing else is so refreshing and it last quite a while in a cool bag and is even nicer when slightly mushy.
Nothing beat’s my mother-in-law’s pasta pie – she makes batches for all our parties – and there’s no waste! Cooked Macaroni with a special tomato, onion mushroom seasoned sauce, bechamel sauce and topped with mild cheese and parmesan cheese, baked in the oven! Bella Italia!
Buon appetito!
I would bring ‘ The Belvoir Mess ‘- similar to an Eton Mess only more sublime ……
A meringue nest , soft and chewy in the centre . topped with a generous scoop of real dairy vanilla ice cream , [soft fruit of your choice if wished and then the finale ……a long drizzle , no… a waterfall , of Elderflower cordial over it all .
Delicious – the melting ice cream and cordial are a wonderful combination .
Get yourself a BIG bowl. Whip up some double cream, blend in full fat Greek yoghurt, a hearty splash of Raspberry & Rose Cordial, and then mix in chopped up marshmallows and your favourite summer berries. Keep it in the fridge ’til it’s time to take off for your picnic. We used to call this amazing concoction ‘Ambrosia Salad’, I just call it Divine!
Simply make ice cubes out of pure elderflower cordial and add to any drink to get that lovely elderflower zing
Soak raspberries in elderflower cordial and put on top of vanilla cheesecake.
Elderflower Prosecco Jelly – Italian Prosecco wine for the bubbles – Elderflower for the flavour, a few elderberries and elderflowers for added zing. Some gelatine to set. Poured into wine glasses and put in the fridge to set these make spectacularly tasty (and light) summer desserts.
Like magic the bubbles are visible through the glass – no idea how or why
My favourite is an English Garden cocktail…it’s great for a bbq and can be alcoholic or non, tastes great either way:
Belvior Elderflower Cordial
Gin (optional)
Cranberry Juice
Apple Juice
Fresh squeezed limes
lots of crushed ice
Summer in a glass!
)
I would take egg sandwiches my mums homemade porkpie and strawberries and plenty of elderflower cordial
Mint Julep or Rum Cocktail
Keylime Pie
Strawberries and ginger cream (chop up some stem ginger an put into the whipped cream) yummy
I love the Spiced Berry,so would love a chilled glass of that with a
slice of summer fruit pie and cream.
Gloria Wilding
An elderflower spritzer is lovely on a summer’s day.
Mix some Belvoir Elderflower cordial with white wine and sparkling water to give a nice refreshing drink for the grown-ups.
Red & Blackcurrant Buns
1 carton of good quality fruity Yoghurt (Rhubarb is my favourite)
THEN USE THE TUB TO MEASURE OUT THE REST OF THE INGREDIENTS
1 carton organic Sunflower Oil
2 cartons organic soft Brown Sugar
3 cartons Self Raising Flour
3 x eggs
1 tbsp Belvoir Organic Blackcurrant Cordial
1 tbs boiling water
200g mixed organic redcurrant and blackcurrant berries (washed and removed from stems)
Mix all the ingredients up in a large mixing bowl until the mixture is well mixed and light and airy.
Spoon into bun or muffin cases (should make two dozen).
Bake for 10-20 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees centigrade.
Ready when sponge raises back when touched and golden brown in colour.
To Decorate:-
Icing Sugar
Water
1 tsp Belvoir Organic Blackcurrant Cordial
Blackcurrant or Reducrrant berries (two on a stem)
Mix 4 tsp of water with a small amount of icing sugar and add the cordial. Continue adding icing sugar and water to make a deep pink paste.
With a palette knife spread the icing on the buns and add one of the pairs of berries. Dust with icing sugar when set.
ENJOY!
I would bring elderflower jam tarts made with filo pastry and filled with my elderflower conserve. Each topped with strawberries and clotted cream available.
Simply use ready made filo pastry and pop the conserve in the middle and bake for 20 minutes at 180 degrees. Add strawberries when cool and pop them in the fridge with the cream until ready to eat.
I would bring some home made wholemeal bread, made with a hint of mint.
I would bring a gorgeous plump victoria sponge, filled with homemade raspberry jam made with a generous dash of Raspberry & Rose Cordial and lots fresh cream, the sponge would be topped with a heavy sprinkle of sugar on top. Eaten outside with lots of english sunshine…Perfect!
I would bring a homemade summer pudding and lashings of elderflower cordial to wash it down.
Belvoir, for your quarter-century birthday I would bring a Gooseberry and Belvoir elderflower parfait…
A beautiful English summertime dessert to compliment your mouth-watering beverages.
A flask of chilled ‘Gimlet’ cocktail mix
1 part London Gin
1 part Belvoir Lime and Lemongrass Presse
Shaken over ice
Many a cocktail guide will recommend using Roses Lime Cordial to make a Gimlet, but I’ve found Belvoir Presse makes a far superior pairing with good quality gin.
I would bring Elderflower Mousse to your 25th Birthday
Made with:
250 grams Mascarpone cheese
200 grams Bought custard
125 millilitres Belvoir Elderflower cordial; (125 to 175)
200 millilitres Double cream; lightly whipped
1 Beat the mascarpone lightly to soften it, then add the custard and whisk until smooth. 2 Whisk in the cordial and finally the cream, 3 Taste and add a little more cordial if you desire, then chill for at least half an hour before serving.
Happy Birthday!
Summer Fruit Jelly
Layer ripe summer fruits in a loaf tin.
Make a jelly using Italian Prosecco wine (white sparkling) or a rose wine with a good splosh of Elderflower cordial (undiluted) and Gelatine leaves.
Leave to set in fridge & keep chilled till last minute. Dip loaf tin in hot water, or leave in sun for a couple of minutes, then turn jelly out onto a pretty rectangular plate. ( quantities depend on size of tin & quantity of fruit used!)
What a lovely idea! I would bring cupcakes decorated with Elderflower icing and topped with a sugar butterfly.
i would bring lime and zesty lemon cordial and a large strawberry tart with fresh cream and plenty of serviettes incase you get a bit messy with the cream
I would bring some spicy indian chicken mayo sandwiches and a jug of Rum Punch infused with Belvoir Lime & Lemongrass cordial
125ml Belvoir Lime and Lemongrass cordial
125ml white rum
125ml dark or navy rum
75ml orange liqueur
350ml orange juice
350ml pineapple juice
350ml passionfruit juice
75ml lime juice
75ml grenadine
1 tsp Angostura bitters
ice cubes, to taste
i would bring a nice tasty elderflower jelly home made with a tasty of topping of seasonal fresh fruit
i would bring a nice tasty elderflower jelly home made with a tasty of topping of seasonal fresh fruit
I would bring Belvoir Ginger spiced fruit cake, using a basic fruit cake recipe and adding about 6 tbsps of Belvoir Ginger cordial to the mix to make it slightly moist and totally delicious.
Lovely crusty bread oozing with strawberry jam
To spice up lemon tea add a teaspoon of Belvoir Ginger cordial!
Drink or iced.
i love summer pudding with a dollop of creme fraiche
It has to be a cake:
Self raising flour 9og, 235g semolina,160g caster sugar, 260g greek yoghurt (0% fat), 70g toated chopped hazlenuts, or any fav nut, tsp baking powder, pinch salt, 14 tbs sunflower oil, eggs x 2, splash vanilla extract
Topping: 5tbs elderflower cordial, 150g sugar, juice & zest two lemons
Easy: Sift flour & baking powder add sugar & semolina. whisk egg, oil, yoghurt & vanilla & addd to flour mix.
Grease tin add mix, sprinke hazlenuts on top. Cook 40minutes 180-190oc
Then bring to boil sugar, cordila & lemons until thick, make little holes in cake and pour over. Have with vanilla icecream or cream.
Eat cold for breakfast the next day
Voila!
I would bring homemade Chocolate Orange Cheescake topped with cream laced with Blood Orange and Mandarin Cordial.
Now all that we need is some summer sunshine …
For a really decadent touch it’s got to be
Pinot Grigio and Raspberry Rose Jelly for me
Peanut butter and Jam sandwiches with the crusts cut off – that way the kids can have a treat and leave all the good stuff for us adults – mean but fun !
An Olde English Raspberry Trifle in a crystal cut glass bowl.
Layer trifle sponge cakes and raspberries soak in lots Belvoir Raspberry and Rose cordial in the bowl. Arrange ratafia biscuits on top with a splash of sherry. Top up with a generous layer of home made custard and plenty of thick fresh whipped cream. Sprinkle with freshly toasted almonds and ratafia biscuits.
so far all this food is rather sweet,
i think we need a savory treat,
sandwitches are just the thing,
so for this picnic thats what i shall bring,
filled with gooseberry and elderflower Jam,
i might even bring some filled with ham.
& after this picnic we’ll need to rest,
because your 25th birthday picnic has been the best!
Lots of nibbles would be my choice with names such as Belvoir Castle Game Pie, Leicester Cheese Fondue, Rutland Rolls, Cordial Fancies and Fruit Farm Pie.
I would bring a fruity old fashioned apple pie
I make elderflower and raspberry,rose ice lollies with the kids. I pour in the elderflower presse with whole rasps and ripped up rose petals. Bung in freezer and voila!
They are delicious!
I would bring along the ingredients for Belvoir Swing to make the party more vibrant! A perfect summer drink to enjoy in the sunshine!!
Belvoir Swing:
Gin, Champagne, Belvoir Elderflower Cordial and Rose Water mixed to taste!
How about a nice Gooseberry and Elderflower tart made using Belvoir’s fantastic Organic Elderflower Cordial. Perfect for summer!
I would bring elderflower sorbet to serve with frosted strawberries – a light and summery dessert.
I would bring Baked Elderflower Cheesecake – yummy!!!!!
I would bring an Elderflower Trifle
800 g shop bought or vanilla sponge cake sliced
into 4cm cubes
100 ml elderflower cordial
850 ml of packet ready made custard
250 g (approx) of jam of choice
2 bananas
200 g raspberries
400 g peaches
850 ml boiling water
250 ml double or whipping cream
hundreds and thousands or grated chocolate to garnish
i would bring an elderflower and summer fruit jelly with lavender infused cream
To say a big 25th birthday to Belvoir I would bake and bring a “Blissful Belvoir Cheesecake”! (Gooseberry and elderflower cheesecake)
For the base, butter, Demerara sugar and ginger biscuits. For the cheesecake, powdered gelatine, fresh gooseberries, Belvoir elderflower cordial, honey, soft cheese, eggs and caster sugar.
This blissful treat will beautifully compliment Belvoir cocktails!
I’d make Boozy Berry Jelly & elderflower ice cream, this recipe would be the perfect summer dessert!
For the Jelly (makes 10):
Punnets of mixed berries
6 leaves of gelatine
140 ml Belvoir summer berries cordial
2 heaped tablesponns of caster sugar
500ml of champagne
Place the fruit in individual moulds, and place in the fridge along with the champagne. Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water until soft. Then place the gelatine with the cordial and heat in a bowl over water on a medium heat until it is of a syrupy consistency.
Add sugar and allow to cool at room temperature for three minutes.
Remove the moulds and champagne from the fridge.
Next add the champagne to the syrup and then pour the mix into the moulds pushing down any fruit which will rise to the top. Refrigrate until ready to serve.
For the ice cream:
300ml full cream milk such as gold top, Guernsey or Jersey
300ml Jersey cream
6 egg yolk
100g caster sugar
200ml Belvoir elderflower cordial
put the milk into a saucepan, bring to the boil and remove from the heat. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together then pour the milk on and whisk well. Return to the pan on a low heat and cook for about five minutes, stirring constantly using a whisk, but not letting it boil. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cream and elderflower cordial. Leave to cool, then churn in the ice-cream machine.
To serve:
Place the moulds into hot water to loosen the outside of the jelly. Turn onto a plate & place a scoop of the elderflower ice cream on top and decorate with a sprig of mint.
Homemade chocolate orange cheesecake topped with some fresh cream laced with Belvoir Organic Blood Orange & Mandarin presse !!
I would bring lime & lemongrass muffins and Belvoir Lime & Lemongrass cordial mixed with fresh lemonade.
I love elderflower so an Elderflower Pressé jelly (simply mix with gelatine leaves and leave to set) and a gin cocktail to accompany it (Bombay Sapphire gin, Elderflower Pressé, champagne and lots of ice and a lime wedge) would be a perfect summer treat for me
i would bring a key lime pie very easy to make and a perfectly refreshing summers day pudding mmmmmmmmmmmm think i will go and make one for later.
I mix a bit of elderflower cordial with some gin and lemon juice, over ice, top it up with a bit of soda water and sling some fresh cucumber in.
I always always want one of these when the sun comes out!
Baked Alaska would be my dish of the day,
It’s ideal for the garden when you’re out to play,
Cold and hot, tangy and juicy,
And with a splash of cordial it’s extra fruity!
I would bring ice and a slice for the cordial and some cheese, pate and crackers – oh and some music and a picnic blanket!
Have you thought of designing a cordial jug with freezable gel coating to keep the cordial nice and cold i hate drinking warm cordial if you could do this i would be a happy man!! Thanks