Champagne Thursday: Love a lot a lemons... limoncello

Oh yeah, Champagne Thursdays are back!

See, I told you they would be. This is going to be a trend. A boozy, giggly, trend.

I think the problem is, I just want you to join me in sneaking rum into your smoothies, or baileys in your coffee, or limoncello over your raspberry sorbet. It's nice to do it with other people, then you're not the weird girl.

I know this one isn't going to be ready in minutes. There's no instant gratification here & for that I'm sorry. I was trying to make a desperate attempt to capture what was left of summer before Autumn sneaks up & overcomes us before we even know what's happened.

Do this now, & come mid October as the leaves are turning & the afternoon breeze still has a hint of warmth, pour yourself a glass & have it with friends. You'll remember the last grasps of summer & smile.

Mmmmm, home-made limoncello. It would even make a nice Christmas gift you know... now there's a thought.

Ingredients: - 750ml (3 cups) vodka - 10 lemons, zest only - 660g (3 cups) sugar - 1.25lt (5 cups) water

Directions: 1. grate the zest from the lemons, be very careful to only get the outer layer of yellow & not any of the white pith (it's very bitter). Put the zest into the vodka & let it sit in a cool, dark place for 6 weeks. 2. after the 6 week period of letting the vodka soak, you can begin stage two. Combine the water & sugar in a pot & bring to a boil, allow to boil continuously for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat & allow to cool. 3. strain the zest from the vodka before adding the vodka to the cooled sugar syrup. Bottle in your desired vessels & stick in the fridge to chill ready & waiting for when you want to enjoy a sip.

WARNING: making limoncello usually calls for a grain alcohol. For those of you with a severe gluten intolerance or celiac's disease, this is a "no no". I used a potato vodka to create my own version. I strongly suggest that if you choose to recreate this, do your research & pick a brand of vodka that is 100% gluten-free.

By the way...

If you're interested in the type of stuff I keep stocked in my kitchen or the equipment that I use regularly... here's a pretty comprehensive list.

Tools/ Equipment/ Machinery/ Ingredients:

Machinery:

Electric Scale - Etekcity - http://amzn.to/2xkKpQk

Hand Mixer - Kenwood - http://amzn.to/2xkjowh

Stand Mixer - Kenwood - http://amzn.to/2yqXPiH

Candy Thermometer - Etekcity - http://amzn.to/2xklw7k

Food Processor - Cuisinart - http://amzn.to/2xkkZqK

Blender - Kenwood - http://amzn.to/2xXQgwU

Tools:

Silicone Spatula - Zyliss - http://amzn.to/2y3Srkw

Chef's Knife 8" - Miyabi - http://amzn.to/2fUtyRK

Pots & Pans:

Cast Iron Skillet 12" - Lodge - http://amzn.to/2fMHb1x Cast Iron Pot 5.5 Quart - La Cocotte Staub - http://amzn.to/2fUqxAG

Cast Iron Grill Skillet 10.5" - Lodge - http://amzn.to/2z2GPwi

Cake tins & Pie Plates:

Bunt Pan - Nordic Ware - http://amzn.to/2xjGB1N

Square Cake Tin - Patisse - http://amzn.to/2xkn5Ce

Springform cake tin 22cm (9”) - Farberware - http://amzn.to/2xkdQ4T

Ceramic Pie Plate- Emile Henry - http://amzn.to/2gex5qR

Cupcake Tin - Wilton - http://amzn.to/2xkp4GG

Tart Tin Loose Bottom 9.5” - Patisse - http://amzn.to/2xje3u2

Decorating Equipment:

Non-Slip Pipping Bags - Pastry Gear - http://amzn.to/2fLxAZ0

Pipping Tips - Wilton - http://amzn.to/2yJVPy1

Food Gels - Wilton - http://amzn.to/2kpOCky

Fondant Smoother - Wilton - http://amzn.to/2xkyZRl

Fondant Modelling Tools - Happisland - http://amzn.to/2xjOWSV Fondant Rolling Pin - Wilton - http://amzn.to/2xkbLe5

Fondant Rolling Mat - The Mat - http://amzn.to/2y2bg76

Ingredients:

Active Dry Yeast - Bob's Red Mill - http://amzn.to/2gcC2R4

Almond Flour - Bob's Red Mill - http://amzn.to/2xkP3xI

Arrow root - Bob’s Red Mill - http://amzn.to/2ycT0WF

Baking Powder - Bob's Red Mill - http://amzn.to/2xkJz5U

Bicarbonate of Soda - Bob's Red Mill - http://amzn.to/2yL7Lj4

Brown Rice Flour - Bob's Red Mill - http://amzn.to/2z1MUt1

Buckwheat Flour - Anthony’s Organic - http://amzn.to/2xjRS6T

Cocoa Powder - Valrhona - https://amzn.to/2ouIwlr Coconut Flour - Bob's Red Mill - http://amzn.to/2xkAHNX

Flaxseed Meel - Bob's Red Mill - http://amzn.to/2ybK0Rm

Millet flour - Bob’s Red Mill - http://amzn.to/2iBZqYw

Oat Flour - Bob's Red Mill - http://amzn.to/2fNUuyZ

Potato Starch - Bob's Red Mill - http://amzn.to/2yKpYgH

Quinoa Flour - Amisa Organic - https://amzn.to/2oyWVg9 Sorghum Flour - Bob's Red Mill - http://amzn.to/2yClSf5 Sweet White Rice Flour - Bob's Red Mill - http://amzn.to/2y2xmXK

Tapioca Starch - Bob's Red Mill - http://amzn.to/2xjv879

Vanilla Extract Organic - Simply Organic - http://amzn.to/2xXdt2e

Vanilla Beans - Vanilla Products - http://amzn.to/2yLMqWQ

White Flour GF - Dove's Farm - http://amzn.to/2z1b5I1​

Xanthan Gum - Bob's Red Mill - http://amzn.to/2zoYxuC

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