RECIPE TIME - SLOW COOKER SUGAR BEAN SOUP

                                               SPECKLED RED          BEANS ALSO                KNOWN AS                  SUGAR BEANS




INGREDIENTS:  250gr dried sugar beans
                              1 can baked beans in tomato                                     sauce
                              beef stock about 1 litre
                              1 large onion chopped
                              salt and pepper to taste


METHOD:     Rinse the beans in a colander and place in  a bowl. Cover with plenty of cold water as the beans will expand, and leave to stand overnight.

In the morning rinse the beans again and place in the slow cooker, add beef stock and chopped onion and leave to cook on high (do not add spices at this stage), for 6  to 7 hours  - until the beans are nice and tender.  

Add water if you don't want the soup to be too thick.

When beans are tender add can of baked beans in tomato sauce and salt and pepper to taste.  The longer you cook the soup the nicer and thicker it becomes.





For a richer soup you can add a few marrow bones to the brew about an hour before serving.


next post   7th June

TWENTY SIXTEEN - PART TWELVE

  Hello folks, can't believe         how quickly time passes

   It is 28th February.                    Daniel and Thea are                  moving today.

   Ruth did not go to church        today she is not feeling up to    it.  
She cooked lunch which I normally do on a Sunday. 

Late afternoon, I was in the kitchen and Ruth was just coming into the kitchen, when Vicky for some reason unknown to us attacked Benji.

Benji

Ruth tried to pull Vicky away by her collar in order to separate them and got badly bitten  on the top of her right hand by Benji




 
                         Vicky when she was a puppy.


 The small finger of her left hand was also injured, in a very strange way, it looked like a small bone protruding from the knuckle, but not through the flesh.


Rose sent message, she is not coming back yet as her child is very ill. Loveness is to continue in her place.

1st March   Andy paid R2400 into our account. 2nd March  Ruth went to doctor as she needs an antibiotic.  She is not feeling well and hand is infected from the bite.

Steve paid R1200 into bank.

Ruth did shopping and paid R800 to doctor (2nd payment) We will pay balance owing of R620 at the end of the month.  Kept R600 for weekly supplies  for Wednesday 8th March.

Amanda and Andre from next door had a huge worship meeting, for the whole weekend. Amanda arranged a wheel chair for me, but I only used it on the Friday night as my gout was too bad the next day  to go again. Ruth went though. It was very enjoyable.



Sunday 6th March - gout very painful - ate a banana at 6.50am and rubbed inside of the banana skin on the inflamed toe.  Apparently it helps.

Monday 7th March  Danny phoned has prospective buyer from ad in OLX  for jewelry. 8th March  - Ruth and Danny meet prospective buyer at Wimpie. Sold gold earings, my diamond ring and Ruth's silver chain for R6750  true value R1350.  Rather disappointing. 

9th March  - Ruth not well, has sore throat and closed chest, she is living on Cepacol cough lozenges now - spent day resting and sleeping - she cancelled her doctor's appointment.

She went to prayer meeting at the church at 5.30pm came home at 7.30pm. 

Power went off at approximately 9.30 pm, was off all night came back on at 7am next morning. Not very pleasant as the generator is not working, so you lie in bed in the dark, looking at a ceiling you cannot see. 

10th March - Ruth still not well. We took Harry and Benji to doggy parlour - did some shopping and took generator to Danny so he could take it in for repairs.  Came home, helped Ruth sort out and pack away purchases. 

Power off again at 3.30pm. 
 5.45pm power still off.
  Power on at 8.45pm.

11th March - Ruth very sick with flu. 
Power off 5.30pm

14th March - got generator back today. Danny brought it and spent morning here with us.

Ruth choked on her lunch today - inhaled some rice - her chest is very bad from flu, and this choking just made it so much worse. She really choked badly and is still coughing a lot.

16th March - Ruth choked again today. She was eating a sandwich around 8pm  and choked on it. It worries me because I suffer from the same thing and I know how close it brings you to death.  It usually happens when you are excessively tired.

She often eats when she is half asleep and this does not bode well when you are prone to choking.

17th March - power off early hours of the morning - off all day.


Generator would not work, after a few hours, Ruth discovered that Danny had switched off the black button, whatever that means.  Got generator working but soon ran out of petrol, so we were without power again all day. 

Ruth has gone to the doctor,  she is still not well

18th March , too many power failures off for as long as 12 hours at a time. Can't cook, can't read, can't charge batteries for cells etc, can't watch T.V.
Just lie in the dark and look at a ceiling you cannot see.

God is teaching us to be content.  "Seek not to be rich, but happy. Riches lie in bags but happiness lies in contentment."

In Philipians 4: 11-12   Paul writes 

"I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need."

What is he teaching us here.  For as long as you know that God loves you with an unceasing love and are nurtured by family and friends you can be satisfied with whatever comes your way.



next  post  5th June  

MY FAVORITE PSALMS - PART ELEVEN

The Lord is my               strength and my shield
my heart trusts in Him
and I am helped 
Therefore my heart       exults and with my
song I shall thank         Him.


The Lord is my strength and 
He is a saving defense to His
 anointed
Save Thy people and bless Thine 
inheritance
Be their shepherd and also 
carry them forever.

Ascribe to the Lord,
O sons of the mighty
Ascribe to the Lord,
glory and strength
Ascribe to the Lord the
glory due to His Name,
Worship the Lord
in Holy array.

The voice of the Lord
is upon the waters
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord is above many waters
the voice of the Lord is powerful,
the voice of the Lord is majestic,
the voice of the Lord breaks the cedars
Yes, the Lord breaks in pieces
the cedars of Lebanon,
and He makes Lebanon
to skip like a calf
and Sirion like a young wild ox
the voice of the Lord hews out 
flames of fire
The voice of the Lord shakes
the wilderness of Kadesh
the voice of the Lord makes
the deer to calve
and strips the forests bare
and in His temple
everything says, Glory!   




O love the Lord, all ye His godly ones!
the Lord preserves the faithful. 
Be strong and let your heart 
take courage 
all you who hope in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice you righteous ones and shout for joy all you that 
are upright in heart.

Sing for joy in the Lord 
O ye righteous ones
Praise is becoming to the upright
Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre,
Sing praises to Him with the harp
of ten strings!
Sing to Him a new song
Play skilfully with a heart of joy
For the Word of the Lord is upright
and all His work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice
the earth is full of the lovingkindness
of the Lord.



next post  3rd June

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED THE AWESOMENESS OF OUR ALMIGHTY GOD/ - PART SEVEN

                                         THE IMMUTABILITY      OF GOD is an attribute  of God where God is 

"unchanging in His    character, Will and  Covenant promises" 
       


God's immutability defines all  His other attributes: He is immutably wise , He cannot but be merciful, good and gracious.



 "For I, the Lord, do not change, therefore you,      O sons of Jacob are not  consumed."
   Malachi 3:6


Of old you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands, even they will perish, but You endure; and all of them will wear out like a garment , like clothing You will change them and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end.
Psalm 102: 25-27


The counsel of the Lord stands forever. The plans of His heart from generation to generation.
Psalm  33:11


Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, "My purpose will be established and I will accomplish all My good pleasure."
Isaiah   46:10


"You are My witnesses," declares the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He, before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me."
Isaiah 43:10


God said to Moses "I Am Who I Am," and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I Am, sent me unto you.'  "
Ex: 3:14


For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.
Romans  11:29


  
 In the hope of eternal          life which God, Who            cannot lie, promised            long ages ago.
                                       Titus  1:2




Every good thing given and every  perfect gift is from above  from the Father of lights , with Whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
James  1:17


Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 
Hebrews 13:8


next post   1st June

RECIPE TIME - YUMMY SUNDAY LUNCH

                                      ROAST CHICKEN
 ROAST POTATOES
 HUBBARD SQUASH FRITTERS
 MIX OF   SPINACH,  ONION,  +  POTATO

Preparation time - 2 hours

ROAST CHICKEN

Rinse the chicken in cold water, place in roasting dish or pan, large enough to accommodate  potatoes as well.





Liberally dust with Robertson's chicken spice, turn over and dust again.

Place in oven at 170 degrees
with the back of the chicken
facing upwards and roast for 30 minutes. Turn the chicken over. Chicken will now be chest side up.  Roast for a further 60 minutes.  This will ensure a nice crisp skin.

While the chicken is roasting, in the first half hour,  (you can also do this before you start the chicken)  wash and slice the potatoes, preferably leave the skin on (I only use 2 potatoes, thus the size of my dish). 

At this stage, also prepare the hubbard squash - enough for approximately 2 cups of cooked squash. Or double the mix depending on the amount you need. 2 cups squash makes approx 12 fritters.  
                                         
 Steam the potatoes and the      hubbard squash for 15 -20        minutes, if using a steamer.
If using the microwave oven, do them separately, but do the potatoes first, so that you can get them into the oven asap.

As soon as the potatoes are steamed place them in a single layer in the dish with the chicken and allow to roast until chicken is done.




Remove chicken from the oven and turn up heat and allow potatoes to roast for a further 30 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp.

SPINACH MIX     -    steam the prepared spinach once you have removed the chicken  from the oven.   This gives you 30 minutes before spinach is needed.

1 bunch spinach (stalks removed)
and sliced thinly(I use a kitchen scissors)

1 onion (chopped)
1 potato (cut into small pieces)
Place in steamer and steam for 15-20 minutes. When done add salt, pepper and butter and mash and mix.




While spinach is steaming, your hubbard  squash will be cool enough to prepare the fritters, using the same recipe I published on 2nd May for Pumpkin fritters. Just add an extra egg to the mixture.  

Enjoy.

next post   30th May

TWENTY SIXTEEN - PART ELEVEN

                                  Hello folks, 
                                  I trust you are all
                                  well.


 It is now late afternoon, Friday, 26th February. Whatsapped  Daniel suggesting he  come for lunch on Sunday and collect some of the vegetables, which are too much for us.


He said he would like to but he and Thea were moving on Sunday - I was shocked out of my socks. He had been telling me all month that he was battling to make the rent, I wasn't too concerned because the end of the month was still a way ahead, so I supported him with encouragement to hang in there as things would improve. Apparently he was trying to make Februarys rent while I thought he was trying to make Marchs rent.

They are moving from a two bedroomed house to a one room cottage in her father's yard. Doesn't sound so good but at least it is rent free.

He has had a bad few months - from December to March are bad months for his business.  I am also concerned about his health as he has lost more than 10kgs over the past few months. He is just skin and bone.

 Now I start worrying again, until I realize that worry isn't an option . Our Father God, had just brought Ruth and I through a critical period in our lives teaching us not to worry - His message to us daily was to "be calm and wait upon Him." Now just when I thought I had learned this lesson  I am back to square one. I really feel ashamed of myself.

By the way did you know that worry is actually a sin - it is the same as telling God that you don't believe Him.  

He has supplied us with enough money to see us through the months ahead (even though we are on a very tight budget) and He is still showering us with other blessings like money for diesel, groceries and vegetables and free haircuts.

Sue cut Ruth's hair and my hair on Sunday the 21st when she, Steve and Andy visited us and promised that whenever we need a haircut she will come and do it for us.  Amanda who is a qualified hairdresser has also offered to cut our hair for free. 

So now, hand all my problems over to my Heavenly Father  and quit worrying. 

Through all of my own problems I had never stopped praying for Daniel, but now as soon as my own crises is lifted I start worrying about Daniel. Worry is worry - it does not only apply to my own troubles but when I worry about someone else it remains worry.

I have made my decision, I refuse to worry. Whenever the enemy of my soul tries to win my mind I will put him in his place  -

"Greater  is He that is in me, than he that is in the world."   1st John 1: 5
.

Also,  "This plan of Mine, is not what you would work out, neither are My thoughts the same as your thoughts, for just as the heavens are higher than the earth so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:8

I have to remind myself again and keep reminding myself that God is in control.  I am not in control. Just as I have to learn to "be still and wait upon the Lord,"  in my own circumstances so I have also to learn to "be still and wait upon the Lord," in my loved ones circumstances.

There is no difference.  I have now handed the problem over to my heavenly Father. I know that just as He is working in Ruth's life and my Life, He is also working in Daniel's life and everyone else's life who is on my prayer list. 

All I need to do is "be calm and wait upon the Lord."  

I will do just that!


next post   29th May 

MY FAVORITE PSALMS - PART TEN

                                          

                                              O Lord, I love the            habitation of Thy            house,

       and the place where        Thy glory dwells,

My foot stands on a level place,

in the congregation I will

praise the Lord,

The Lord is my light and my 

salvation whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the strength of my life

of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers came upon me

to devour my flesh

My adversaries and my enemies,

they stumbled and fell

though a host encamp against me

my heart will not fear.

though war arise against me

in spite of this I shall be confident.

One thing I have asked of the Lord,

that I shall seek

That I may dwell in the house

of the Lord

and to meditate in His temple

for in the day of trouble

He will conceal me in His tabernacle

In the secret place of His tent

He shall hide me.

He will lift me up on a rock

and now my head will be lifted up

above my enemies around me

and I shall offer, in His tent

sacrifices with shouts of joy

I will sing, yes I will sing

praises to the Lord.

I would have despaired , unless

I had believed that I could see

the goodness of the Lord,

in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord, be strong

and let your heart take courage

Yes, wait for the Lord.

Blessed be the Lord, because

He has heard the voice of my

supplication.

next post  27th May

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED THE AWESOMENESS OF OUR ALMIGTHY GOD - PART SIX

                                         GOD'S                                LOVINGKINDNESS

                                        "I will betroth thee to 
Me forever, yea, I will 
betroth thee unto Me         in righteousness and in  judgement, and in              lovingkindness, and in mercies."
 Hosea 2:19


 The Lord hath appeared of old, unto me, saying "Yes, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn thee."
Jeremiah  31:3


"Nevertheless My lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him; nor suffer My faithfulness to fail." 
Psalm 89:33


Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and mercies."
Psalms  103:4


"In a little wrath, I hide My face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on you,"  saith the Lord, your Redeemer.
Isaiah  54:8


 "The mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not be removed from thee."
Isaiah 54:10


How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings.
Psalms 36:7


Hear me, O Lord, for Thy lovingkindness is good; turn unto me according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies.
Psalms 69:16


  Show Thy marvellous       lovingkindness, O Thou     that savest by Thy right     hand them which put         their trust in Thee from     those who rise up               against them.
  Psalms 17:7



For His merciful kindness is great towards us; and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord.
Psalms 117:2

I will mention the lovingkindness of the Lord , according to all that the Lord hath bestowed upon us, and the great goodness towards the house of Israel, which He hath bestowed on them according to His mercies, and according to the multitude of His lovingkindness.
Isaiah  63:7


 whoso is wise and will observe these things , even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.
Psalm 107:43

Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee.
Psalms 63:3


Withhold not Thy tender mercies from me, O Lord, let Thy lovingkindness and truth continually preserve me.
Psalms  40:11


Let, I pray Thee, Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Thy Word unto Thy servant. 
Psalms 119:76

Quicken me after Thy lovingkindness; so I shall keep testimony of Thy mouth.
Psalms 119:88

Next post  24th May

                                   

RECIPE TIME -SAVORY OR CURRIED MINCE

                                                 
                                              SAVORY MINCE                                                





500grams mince
1 fairly large onion
2 tomatoes
level teaspoon salt
tsp pepper
2 tsps  apricot Jam
Oil for frying (I use coconut oil)
2tablespoons curry powder
(if making curried mince )                          
                 
 saucepan with a lid.

Place tomatoes in a bowl and cover with boiling water - let stand for a minute - remove from water and remove skin. Cut up into smallish pieces and set aside.

Peel onion and chop up. Fry in saucepan till transparent. Turn heat down to it's lowest. Now slowly add the mince 5 to 6 pieces the approximate size of a walnut at a time and mash into the onion until it is completely crumbed.

Continue doing this until all the mince has been combined with the onion. Do not remove saucepan from the heat during this process.



crumbed mince


Now add the chopped tomatoes and mix well. Do not add any water. Do not turn up the heat.





Put the lid on the saucepan and leave to cook on the same low heat, until the mixture runs dry, (about 2 hours). Stir a few times during this process.

Add the spices, jam and 6 tablespoons of boiling water. Continue on same heat until the mince again runs dry. 
Add small amount of water, about 8 tablespoons,  and continue to cook but don't let it run completely dry as you need a little bit of gravy.

If you want curried mince then add 2 tablespoons of curry powder when you add the spices.

Serve on mashed potatoes or rice, or mix into spaghetti or make cottage pie, the uses are endless.

tip: in place of jam use chutney.


next post   23rd May 

TWENTY SIXTEEN - PART TEN

   Hello folks,

   It is now 11th February,  Steve phoned , he is                  waiting for "something"  in      order to help us. He doesn't      say what the contingency  plans are.


13th February, still no news from Steve.

14th February, Ruth has gone to church. She took the last of the doctor's money to buy necessities,  I mentioned a while back that we had miraculously received two payments of  R810 each from the medical aid.  Well we have since found out that it was meant for her doctor but as he charges R5 more than what the medical aid pay they send the payment  to the client (Us).

We now have to pay R1620 back to the doctor.

Still waiting on Steve.  Feeling starved., resources diminishing, no milk, no bread, no apricot jam.

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice,  to be worthy to suffer for His sake.

Ruth back from church - church donated a box of groceries for us including apricot jam. Praise the Lord.

My wi-fi disappeared from my laptop. I am unable to install it myself. Once again another problem. Ryan has also not as yet done anything about my blog. Data also finished , I will buy some more tomorrow with diminishing funds at bank.

Had a valentines card from Sue, on whatsapp. She is always so thoughtful.

Whatsapped Ryan re my blog, he said I must write longer posts and he will look at my profile tomorrow - he doesn't know much about wi fi but will get his dad to phone me. His dad knows more about it.

Not well today, 15th February. Vlooi also has a nasty cough. Didn't put my hearing aid in my ear today as my ear is very itchy, giving it a break.

Andy phoned at approximately 12.30 to help with wi fi recovery. Asked him to phone back in five minutes so that I could put my hearing aid into my ear.

We tried all sorts of things to recover the wi fi but nothing worked.

A while later Ruth came into my room and I showed her the problem. She fiddled around for a bit and lo and behold the wi fi reappeared. Praise the Lord.  Phoned Andy back to tell him.

Vlooi's cough is very irritating and all the dogs go on a barking spree every time Loveness comes anywhere near my room.  I think I am so tense because of this.

Had lovely speckled bean soup with marrow bones and toast for lunch.

Still waiting on the Lord. Haven't heard anything from Steve.

18th February - Steve put R1000 into Ruth's 
E wallet.

21st February we had a visit from Steve, Andy and Sue.  They brought bread rolls, cold meat, lettuce and tomatoes and a lovely sweet sauce for lunch,

They told us that they would each be giving us R2500 per month.

Praise the Lord.  He is great.

22nd February   Andy deposited R600 into our banking account.

24th February   Steve deposited R600 into our banking account.

26th February  Elice phoned Ruth - the church has R200 for us for diesel and fresh vegetables.

Ruth went to fetch it. Came back with lots of carrots, beetroot, large cabbage and two large butternuts.

The Lord is really pouring down the 
blessings



Next post 22nd May

MY FAVORITE PSALMS - PART NINE

                                         O Lord my God, I will    give thanks to Thee        forever,
 In Thee, O Lord have I  taken refuge,
 let me never be  ashamed,


In Thy righteousness deliver me
incline Thine ear to me,
rescue me quickly.


Be Thou to me a rock of strength,
 a stronghold to save me,
for Thou art my Rock and my Fortress
for Thy Name's sake Thou wilt lead
me and guide me.

Thou will pull me out of the net
which they have laid for me,
for Thou art my strength
into Thy hands I commit my spirit
Thou hast ransomed me, O Lord,
God of  Truth.

I trust in the Lord, I will rejoice
and be glad in Thy loving kindness
Thou hast set my feet in a large place.


But as for me, I trust in Thee O Lord,
I say Thou art my God
My times are in Thy hands
Make Thy face to shine upon 
Thy servant
Save me in Thy loving kindness
Let me not be put to shame
for I take refuge in Thee
How great is Thy goodness which
Thou hast stored up for those
who fear Thee
Which Thou hast wrought
for those who take refuge in Thee






Thou dost hide them in the secret place 
of Thy presence.
from the conspiracies of man
Thou doest keep them secretly in a 
shelter from the strife of tongues.

Blessed be the Lord, for He has made
marvelous His loving kindness to me
Thou didst hear the voice of my
supplication, when I cried to Thee.


next post  20th May

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED THE AWESOMENESS OF OUR ALMIGHTY GOD - PART FIVE

                                          GOD IS ETERNAL

                                           He transcends all time        and temporal                      limitations and is thus        infinite.  He is the              creator of all things ,          including time itself.



"I am the Alfa and the Omega,"  says the Lord, "Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty."
Revelations 1:8


"before the mountains were born, You brought  forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God."
Psalm 90:2


"Your throne is established from long ago  You are from all eternity."
Psalm 93:2


"But You, O Lord, sit enthroned forever. Your renown endures through all generations."
Psalm 102:12


"unto Him be glory in the church throughout all generations, forever and ever, amen."
Ephesians 3:21


He is not limited by time.


"For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past or as a watch in the night."
Psalm 90:4


                                       "But beloved be not              ignorant of this one           thing, that one day is           with the Lord as a               thousand years and a         thousand years is as one     day."
  2nd Peter 3:8


Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
Psalm 145:13,  Psalm 45:6,  Lamentations 5:19
Daniel 4:3 and Daniel 7:14


Saying "we give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, Who are and Who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign."
Revelation  11:17


Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
Hebrews  13:8


"Now Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory I had with You before the world was."
John 17:5


They will all perish, but You remain, and they all will become like an old garment and like a mantel You will roll them up like a garment, they will also be changed, but You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end."
Hebrews  1:11-12


 for since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Romans  1:20


Your righteousness is everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth.
Psalm 119:42


He rules with His might forever, His eyes keep watch on the nations. Let not the rebellious exalt themselves.
Psalm 66:7


For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you.
1st Peter  1:20





next post   18th May

RECIPE TIME - GINGER BEER

MY FAVORITE GINGER BEER


(makes 4 x 2 litre bottles)



GINGER SYRUP 

6 cups white sugar
7 cups cold water
10 tbls freshly grated root ginger
(I use 2 pieces of root ginger  each approx   6cm long)

Scrape the skin off the root ginger and grate it - I chop it up in the food mixer (Magimix)

Place all the ingredients into a saucepan and stir over medium heat, until sugar is dissolved. Do not boil. Turn off heat and allow to stand on the hotplate for one hour.  Remove and allow to cool.

You should have approximately two litres of syrup. You can strain the syrup through a fine sieve to remove the solids, I don't because I like the ginger bits in my ginger beer, and I have the notion that by doing so it improves the strength of the ginger.

Now pour the syrup into a large bowl - add juice of 3 to 4 freshly squeezed lemons,  6 litres cold water and 2 teaspoons active dry yeast.

Stir and pour equal amounts (using a funnel or a jug) into 
4 x 2 litre plastic bottles with lids.  



You may not have enough beer to fill the bottles so now add more water to each bottle but do not fill completely. Leave a space of about 4 cm in each bottle to allow for fizz to expand.

Now stand the bottles in a shady part of your pantry or kitchen for 2 to 3 days before transferring to the fridge.  Check every day and loosen lid to release excess fizz to prevent bottles from exploding.

Alternatively, (which is what I do)  you can store the syrup and only make one 2 litre bottle of ginger beer at a time. This also stops the cluttering of your fridge with too many bottles of ginger beer.

To do this - use a quarter of the syrup. juice of one lemon, half teaspoon active dry yeast and enough water to fill the bottle to within 4 cm. Follow same steps as if you were making the four bottles.

If you find the ginger beer is too sweet for your taste, use less syrup when you make the next bottle.







next post  16th May