Raspberry Berr"a"y....

The allotment's looking very green. There's nothing wrong with that it's just that I would like to see a bit of colour.

When the rainbow chard flourishes, I expect to see indigo and violet patches...

Occasionally I get a flash of ruby among a patch of sea sick looking strawberries but as quick as I see it it's gone. In my mouth. At the weekend we cleared another massive patch and I hope I can plant a lot more strawberries and raspberries so next year some fruit with make it home. Luckily I bought two punnets of raspberries at St Ives yesterday. Tonight we're off to the north coast for a barbecue and I'll be taking a big glass bottle of raspberry cordial to wash the pork chops down...

Raspberry Cordial (makes 4 small glasses)

200g raspberries

125g caster sugar

one and a half pints boiling water

In a heavy based pan put the fruit and sugar. Put it over a low heat. Leave for 15 minutes until the sugar has dissolved.

Take off the heat and mash with a potato masher.

Strain through a sieve.

Discard the pulpy seeds. Add the water and stir through.

Pour into a jug and chill.

Serve chilled.