Strawberry and Galingale cordial

So, what do you do when you have a spare punnet of strawberries? Make cordial of course! This cordial is super simple, smells exquisite while cooking and makes a delightful summer drink. 

The galingale adds just a little edge of spiciness without the bite of ginger: 

2 cups water 

2 cups caster sugar 

1 tablespoon lemon juice 

500g strawberries (washed hulled and halved) 

2 pieces of dried galingale 

Put the sugar, water, galingale and lemon juice in a saucepan . Cook, while stirring over a low heat, for 2 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved. Raise the heat and until the mixture thickens just a little (about 5 minutes). Reduce to medium-low. Add the strawberries. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Strain through a fine sieve (I used a muslin cloth as well to remove the seeds) and pour into a bottle. Keep in the fridge.

To serve.... just add water!