Dandelion honey recipe

On a sunny day, picking dandelions is a lovely foraging activity.

Find a place where they are in abundance, somewhere they're unlikely to have been sprayed with pesticide or used by dog walkers. Narrow country lanes often have plenty on the verges or you might have some in your garden. Once you start looking out for them, you'll notice they are everywhere! Make sure to leave plenty for the insects.

Ingredients (to make 1-2 jars)

•  4 cups dandelion petals
•  4 cups of water
•  3 slices of lemon
•  2 1/2 cups of granulated sugar

Method

•  Let the flower heads dry for a day to allow insects to escape. Then pick the petals (removing the green parts which are bitter). 
• Place the petals, water and lemon in a heavy based saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Remove from the heat, cover and leave to steep overnight.
• Sieve the mixture into a clean saucepan and throw away the solids.
• Bring the liquid to a low boil and gradually add the sugar, stirring it as it dissolves.
• Lower the heat and simmer uncovered until the liquid becomes syrupy (up to 4 hours).
• Pour the dandelion honey into sterilised jars. It should keep for up to 6 months.