Welcome back to SOUP my dear readers. If you haven't melted completely in the heatwave currently sweeping across the country, I have something wonderful to share with you. This month, the furry and scaly treasures in charge of the newspaper office have charged us to write about something distinctly floral: and for once, I'm not complaining. Now I know that sometimes I may be a little, shall we say "grumpy" about certain themes but this time I am actually a little excited. Maybe it was Momma Fox's enthusiasm about the subject that prompted my good mood and maybe it was the pretty bouquets of wildflowers that I got to pick on my stroll around the park yesterday, but I am definitely not going to be a sourpuss for this particular issue.
Walking down the glowing cobbles of Ottery St Catchpole with the soft, summer breeze flowing around my legs, I had thanked the heavens that I had remembered the pretty blue sun dress languishing in the back of my closet from last year. It was a lifesaver that day as even in the shade of the houses I passed it was almost as hot as the Hogwarts greenhouses during Firepod harvesting season.
It also seemed that Momma Fox was feeling the inferno too because as I reached her quaint cottage and garden full of the most amazing flowers, her door was already propped open with what looked suspiciously like a young Venemous Tentacula bush in a pot. Pulling up short to think of the best way around it, a mischievous chuckle had landed in my ears through the open window beside the door. "Now now Child. No need to look so confunded. It's too hot to have anything shut up but we can't have just anyone wandering into the house when my back is turned now can we? That little beauty will keep out the riff-raff better than any guard crup would don't you think? Now come in and get a drink before you roast out there."
Nodding carefully and casting a quick Immobulus spell on the nightmarish plant as I had slithered past cautiously, I watched the tawny ears of the little witch disappear and carefully followed. Once in the kitchen, I was relieved to find no other leafy monstrosities to hamper the day, just a large pile of wonderful smelling flowers and leaves on the table before me. Tilting my head curiously, I had asked, "So what is the plan, Momma Fox? What drink can we make with all of these? I'm a little confused." The miniature marvel had simply grinned and handed me a crisp sheet of parchment with the title "Hedgerow Iced Tea" on it with the following recipe. Reading it quickly, my excitement had risen once more and I could not wait to get started.
Ingredients:
Two-Thirds cup elderflowers, dried
Two-Thirds cup dandelion leaves, dried and shredded
Two-Thirds cup camomile leaves, dried and shredded
Two-Thirds cup lemon balm leaves, dried and shredded
3 tbs green tea leaves, crushed
1-2 tsp of honey to taste
750 mls Boiling Water
Directions:
1. If you have not already had these flowers pre-dried, you can collect them from your garden or local hedgerows or buy them. To dry them effectively, store them in a cool, dry place for approximately two weeks hanging upside down in small bunches. You could also use a VERY gentle application of the Drought Charm for approximately three minutes. Do not use the Hot Air Spell as this will make the flowers steam, wilt, and go soggy.
2. Next, add the flowers and leaves to a medium-sized brass cauldron or heavy glass jar and cover them with boiling water.
3. Leave the brew to steep and cool for one hour at room temperature.
4. Taste the concoction and add the honey as needed, then stir well.
5. Strain the mixture through a muggle sieve into a large glass jug over ice and serve. This recipe should make 3-4 glasses of iced tea.
The tea had been simple to make, but by the time we were sat in the Orchard chatting an hour later, I could not have been more pleased with how it turned out. It was the perfect drink for a hot summer day. The refreshing taste tickled my tastebuds and sent my mind wandering to all the things left to enjoy this month. Momma Fox was a miracle and I hoped that no matter how long she had left, she continued to surprise me with her wonderful creations.
So until next time lovely readers, relax, stay cool and enjoy your summer! - Nikita