Redwall Remembered

It was with sadness that I read about the death of Brian Jacques, creator of the richly-imagined Redwall series of books for young people which followed the adventures of animals--mice, badgers, otters, hedgehogs, squirrels, and the like (especially against their foes the weasels, rats, etc)--in a medieval world. It was one of the first books Mama and I shared together, mainly because her little brother Goo, who was about 13 at the time, was intrigued with the books (then it was Pokemon, which we also tried to keep up with). Jacques did tell a good tale and paint it with lively details, particularly the food, which was later cataloged in a cookbook. I vividly remember making strawberry cordial, from some Redwall fan site, one day with Goo. The kiddos had liked Jacques's illustrated tale on the Snow Badger very much so we looked forward to sharing the novels with them, still will, of course. We are just sad that there won't be any more.

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Redwall Strawberry Cordial

2 lbs. strawberries

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup powdered sugar

3/4 liter of plain seltzer

2 tablespoons water

1 pint heavy cream

Wash and slice strawberries. Heat strawberries on low flame in saucepan with ½ cup sugar and 2 tablespoons of water. When soft and rendering liquid, add the other ½ cup of sugar.

Strain strawberries over bowl, saving juice. Crush strawberries until only seeds and fibers left. Add to juice.

Cool juice. Add seltzer to strawberry juice to taste. Add cream to cordial to taste and texture. Sweeten with powdered sugar.

Refrigerate at least an hour or until chilled.

Serve with fresh whipped cream.