Friday, December 31, 2010

Sweet sweet Friday: Sweet Hana's Raspberry Syrup

Where did 2010 go? Am I the only one who feels like the end of the year has sneaked up on them? Most people I've spoken to recently seem glad to see the back of 2010 and I can understand how they feel. It's been a tough old year in lots of ways that I won't bore you with now, but we've survived relatively unscathed and for that I am extremely thankful.
Portrait of the artist as a demented soak
One of the things that's happened to our little family that I'm most grateful for is that we found Hana, who looks after the Small Girl when I'm at work.
Before we moved and I started my new job I told people I was looking for a Mary Poppins-alike. They all laughed and told me horrible stories about prison-style childcare centres or nightmare nannies, assuring me that I was looking for a needle in a haystack. In fact, finding Hana - a modern Mary Poppins - was so easy that we still can't believe our luck. The Small Girl loves her to bits and we think she's brilliant.

Last week Hana turned up with a pile of presents for us all (see, I told you she was lovely!), including a whole stocking-ful of treats she'd made. This pretty pink syrup was one of them. The Boy Wonder has been sneaking it to pour over strawberries and yoghurt for breakfast, but we're saving the rest to splash into glasses of bubbles tonight for a fruity toast to 2010.


Here's hoping we all have a sweet, sweet end to 2010 and much happiness in 2011. See you in the new year!

Hana's Raspberry Syrup

1 cup raspberries, plus a few more to garnish
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
juice of half a lemon

Bring all ingredients to the boil in a medium saucepan. Keep boiling until the mixture thickens slightly. Strain through a sieve into a jug, then pour into sterilised jars or bottles in which you have placed a few whole raspberries. Seal and allow to cool. This syrup can be stored for about two months unopened, but store it in the fridge and use within a week once you've opened it. Makes about 400ml.

Do you have a favourite end of the week - and in this case, end of the year - sweet treat? Add it here to spread the sweetness of Fridays... Pin It

7 comments:

  1. That's so great that you got a gem for a nanny. She seems very thoughtful and wonderful. I'm going to try that raspberry syrup!

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  2. That raspberry syrup looks delicious! I'm bookmarking this page. What a great nanny! It's makes it all so much easier to have someone you and the kids both love doesn't it - takes away some of that mother guilt that we stupidly put on ourselves sometimes. have linked in my somewhat Christmassy post, but it is definitely chocolaty & sweet! P.S. The cocoa body scrub, made by almost 7 year old for her aunties and granny, with her own handmade labels, was a big hit on christmas day - thank you!!

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  3. Sounds like a lovely sauce, I'll be sneaking this recipe onto my must make list! Have a great night tonight and all the best for 2011.

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  4. A great way to extend those summer months and a lovely present too.

    Wishing you all A Happy New Year and a much better one than 2010.

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  5. I hope that 2011 is a great year for you and yours....I've got a good feeling about it.

    This syrup sounds lovely....the best presents are those made for you and this reminds me a little of the mulberry syrup my husband makes and is so useful...it goes on everything, sweet and savoury!

    I'm glad you've found your modern day Mary-Poppins to look after your precious small girl...she sounds like a gem.

    Happy New Year to you all.....

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  6. How fantastic that you found Hana - she sounds wonderful!
    Thanks for sharing the recipe :o)

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  7. Hi
    Gonna make this as due to fab amount of rasberries on my bush this year iv had to think of a lot of raspberry recipes such as raspberry fool raspberry meringues yr fab raspberry crumble cake and even made ice cream wish id made the syrup earlier to go with it but never mind it keeps a while although have thought raspberry vodka would just top it all lol happy baking.

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Hello - thanks for stopping by. If this was real life I'd make you a cup of tea and open the biscuit tin, but in lieu of those things, let's have a chat anyway...