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WELCOME 'THE LUSTY MONTH of MAY! ~ MAY WINE / MAY WINE CHAMPAGNE PUNCH

"The month of May was come, when every lusty heart beginneth to blossom, and to bring forth fruit."

~ Sir Thomas Malory

~ Sweet Woodruff
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Gardener's note: Fragrant sweet woodruff, a low-growing perennial herb, is an ideal woodland or shade tolerant ground cover. Its sweet smell intensifies as the plant dries ... perfect for strewing throughout the house as a room freshener. When in bloom, like the Germans, greet the season and rejoice ... it's time for May wine!
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MAY WINE
~ Once tasted, this simple pleasure will surely become a haunting spring ritual

2 bottles good Rhine or Moselle wine (Riesling)
a handful of sweet woodruff sprigs
fresh strawberries & sweet woodruff flowers for garnish
_

Rinse woodruff sprigs, and stuff into uncorked wine. Allow to steep several hours in refrigerator. Strain into wine glass & garnish with a fresh strawberry and pinched top of blooming sweet woodruff.

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MAY WINE CHAMPAGNE PUNCH


1 gallon good Riesling wine
handful of sweet woodruff sprigs
1-2 pints fresh strawberries
4 Tbsp. sugar
champagne
edible blossoms from the garden

Stuff sweet woodruff in wine bottle or in large bowl. Refrigerate several hours or overnight. Strain and pour into large glass punch bowl. Add sugar and mix well. Add an ice block (pretty with frozen flowers inside). Blend in champagne. Garnish with woodruff flowers and edible flowers blossoms from the garden (Johnny-jump ups, pansies, rose petals, borage, etc.) Place a strawberry in each glass and top with sweet woodruff flower.


* Try May Wine and May Wine Champagne Punch with 'Award-Winning' Michigan wines and sparkling wines (http://www.michiganwines.com/Awards/awards.html)

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Comments

Rose said…
I always enjoy seeing how you tie in a flower or season with a recipe, Joey. I've heard of woodruff before, but had no idea it could be used in cooking.
Love the photo collage (montage?) from April that you posted yesterday.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
A wildlife gardener said…
Wow! Even recipes for a good knees up :)Love the smell of woodruff :)
Thursday, May 01, 2008
joey said…
Thank you, Rose. Woodruff is a MUST! Sip a glass of May Wine touring your garden ... you won't regret it! It's earthy flavor and woodland scent reminds you of the essence of spring and all that is good.

I have HUGE beds of woodruff, Wildlife. Indeed the drifting scent of pure white blossoms is haunting!
Friday, May 02, 2008
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