Lovely American lemonade

There are plenty of lemons on the trees at this time of year and the problem is really what to do with them all.

A neighbour knocked on the door and gave us a big bag of lovely lemons, so we searched for ways to use them.

In America, it seems there is a long tradition of children setting up their own little lemonade stalls on the pavement (sorry sidewalk). Leafing through a fascinating American cookbook from the 1950s we found a recipe for lemonade. This book has wonderful pictures and the cooks, all women of course, are elegantly dressed in pleated skirts and smart frocks with pinafores. No slopping around the kitchen in baggy pants, t-shirts and trainers. Come on, be honest, when is the last time you made caramel corn-flake tarts, raspberry-melon ring, devilled eggs, nutmeg feather cake or even everyday cupcakes? You ought to be ashamed of yourselves. Perhaps we will include some of these recipes on www.sharonskitchenworld.blogspot.com. Do American readers have any traditional favourite recipes they would like to share?

Here´s how to make American lemonade. The quantities are for a single glass so if you want to make a big jug just scale up.

Simmer together for about three minutes one cup of sugar and one cup of water to make syrup. Put in the refrigerator to cool. Then, when you want your lemonade, mix three or four tablespoons of syrup depending on how tart or sweet you want it, add one and a half tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and one cup of water. Pour over ice in a tall glass.

Sharon says: “When it is the baking hot Spanish summer this will be delicious. Much more healthy than the stuff you buy off the shelf and much tastier. Even I reckon it´s quick and simple to make.”

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©Phillip Bruce 2009.