Hawthorn Berry Fruit Leather

• Pick ripe hawthorn berries (1.5 kg of berries makes 3 sheets of fruit leather or 500g for 1 sheet))

• Place in a saucepan and add half their volume of water or apple juice, berries will be just covered

• Simmer for 15-20 minutes and allow to cool.

• Mash the mixture to loosen the pulp with a potato masher or briefly blend in a food processor.

• Rub through a coarse sieve or use a food mill (“Flotte Lotte”).

• If you like you can add some cinnamon (I pinch per sheet or/and honey (I use 1 heaped teaspoon for one sheet) to counteract slight bitterness.

• Pour strained pulp either on baking trays lined with parchment paper or on non-stick dehydrator sheets less than half a centimetre thick.

• Dry at lowest temperature in oven or in dehydrator (115°F/45°C) until pulp is dry and leathery and easy to peel off without being sticky.

• Either roll leather up or cut into pieces and store in airtight jars.

• If dried and stored properly they will easily last for a year.

• Add to your breakfast or desserts – a 2-4cm square everyday will help to keep your heart and circulation healthy.