OK so it turns out The Day After Tomorrow was a documentary not a sci-fi spectacular. And whilst we’re on the subject never mind Day of The Triffids, or Day of the Jackal – it’s official Day of the Chutney is back. Yup the joy of the homemade gift is rearing its patchwork head. Last year I talked about it and did nothing. this year I warn you family and friend its all being made in the house and distributed with a beautific smile.
This will come as no surprise…. I am going down the booze route. I have 2 recipes one for raspberry vodka and one of limoncello. The incentive being I get to drink it too. Further to my column in todays Edinburgh Evening News here is the recipe.
Limoncello
two 750 ml – 1 1/4 pint bottles
Takes 10 minutes plus 10 days infusing before necking.
Cooking time : 20 mins
Ingredients – 5 unwaxed lemons, 1 litre -of vodka.1lb granulated sugar, 450 ml uncarbonated mineral water
Zest the lemons, put zest in a litre preserving jar and pour in the vodka. Seal jar and leave for 10 days in a light place, tipping the jar every day to move the lemon zest around, get the lovely lemony colour and flavour.
Then make the sugar syrup by putting sugar and water into a beavy based pan in a low heat. Bring to the boil slowly, stirring to make sure sugar disolved, 
then reduce heat and simmer for 15 mins before taking off and leaving to cool.
Back to the vodka – put a seive over the sugar syrup pan and strain the vodka directly into the cooled sugar syrup, getting rid of the lemon zest.
Stir well then put into sterelized bottles and seal with a cork. Label and leave for at least 2 weeks before drinking. YUM.
Oh and watch it yourself it is strong…..you don’t want to end up like a certain Ms Linsay Lohan who rather over egged her pudding as you can see here or maybe I am being unfair and she was attacked by the triffid behind her – it does look very nasty.
Just had great news that alisonsdiary.com is getting hundreds of hits day. Whoop!. So many in fact people are queuing up to give me things to give to you! How good is that? So if you register your e mail address here on the right then I will keep you up to date – and I promise no spam. Just a fortnightly hello! First giveaway a designer bag this weekend!
