Homemade Crystallised Angelica Recipes

CRYSTALLIZED GINGER

Steps:

• Place ginger in a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add enough water to cover by 1 inch. Partially cover saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat; boil until ginger is almost cooked through but still slightly al dente, about 1 hour. Drain.
• Weigh cooked ginger and return it to saucepan with an equal amount of sugar. Add 2 tablespoons water; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring, until ginger becomes translucent, about 20 minutes.
• Reduce heat and continue cooking, stirring, until ginger is crystallized and begins to clump in the middle of the pan.
• Meanwhile, sprinkle a large rimmed baking sheet with sugar. Pour crystallized ginger onto prepared baking sheet and roll in sugar, separating pieces. Transfer to a sterilized jar and store in a cool place for 3 to 6 months.

CRYSTALLIZED OR CANDIED GINGER

Steps:

• Cut ginger into 2-inch pieces and slice lengthwise into 1/8-inch slices. Score ginger slices by pricking with a fork.
• Toss ginger with sugar in a bowl.
• Combine ginger-sugar mixture and water in a large skillet or wok; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar melts into a syrup and starts to crystallize, about 1 hour. Continue stirring until syrup is mostly crystallized and ginger comes together in a pile in the center of the skillet and very little syrup drains out; remove from heat.
• Toss ginger slices gently to cool and separate from excess sugar. Spread slices out on a tray to cool and dry.

HOMEMADE CRYSTALLISED ANGELICA

Steps:

• Choose stalks that are young and tender.
• Cut the stalks into into 3-4 inch lengths, put them into a pan, cover with water and bring to a boil.
• Drain and scrape away tough skin and fibrous threads with a potato peeler.
• Return the angelica to the pan, pour on fresh boiling water and cook until green and tender (about 5 minutes or less).
• Drain the stalks and dry them.
• Put them into a bowl and sprinkle granulated sugar between layers.
• Cover and leave for 2 to 3 days.
• Slide contents of the bowl into a heavy-based pan. Bring very slowly to the boil and simmer until the angelica is tender and looks clear.
• Drain, then roll or toss the shoots on greaseproof paper with sugar.
• Then dry off the angelica in the oven, using the lowest temperature about 3 hours.
• Wrap and store after cooling completely.

HOMEMADE CANDIED ANGELICA - FOR CAKES, BAKES AND DESSERTS

Steps:

• Please note, in order to have this recipe posted, I had to put in quantities - they are approximate, depending on how many stems you are candying!
• Cut angelica stalks in their 2nd year. Unlike many other plants, the big stalks are better as long as they are still green (not purple or white).
• De-leaf, remove leaf stalks and cut into pieces of about 6 inches, and soak in cold water for about 8 hours.
• Boil water and plunge the stalks inches Boil until the stalks begin to soften (add about half teaspoon of baking soda per pint of water to keep the vivid green colour, which is associated with 'real' candied angelica that is found in France) It also helps to soften.
• Cool under running water, drain, then peel removing the long stringy parts on the outside of the stalks.
• Put them into a syrup made up of of 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup water; soak for 24 hours.
• Cook in them in the syrup and repeat once a day for four days, by which time the angelica should be translucent without losing shape.
• Remove the angelica stems from the pan and let them drain on a covered rack or screen until dry and glossy.
• N.B.(You can roll the stems in caster sugar, BEFORE drying them on the rack/screen if you wish.).
• Store in an airtight tin or jar, and in a cool, dark place; they will last for up to 2 years in the right storage conditions.
• Cut the stems into appropriate lengths and use to decorate cakes, trifles, desserts or ice cream sundaes.