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Monday, January 31, 2011

Try Something New: Lemon Curd

I have never heard of lemon curd before today. I was cruising the updates in my blog list and i found this recipe. I had to Google just what lemon curd is. Turns out, it is like lemon pie filling...now that i can handle! I found the recipe on a blog called swEEts by e. I had been thinking of making applesauce tonight, as i used up the last bit this morning in my oatmeal, but i decided to pick up a couple of lemons on my way home and make this instead. It is extremely easy, and delicious!

Lemon Curd.



3 eggs.
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice. (I needed 2 lemons)
1 TBS lemon zest.
3/4 cup sugar.
4 TBS butter.

Whisk eggs, sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan.
Over medium heat, cook until mixture thickens and reaches 160 F with candy thermometer (about 10 minutes)
Remove from heat and sieve for lumps.
Cut butter into small cubes and whisk into warm mixture.
Add zest and allow to completely cool before using.


So i got about this much :-) I tried it along the way, and it was perfectly lemony but not to sweet. I had to take this next picture because i thought the yolks looked neat just floating in the pan. This was after fishing out one piece of shell and poking a yolk to cover another (this is where the sieve comes in). Also after wiping the side of the pot because i dripped egg white all over it. No matter how much i try, and i have plenty of practice, i can not crack an egg without making a mess, either poking my thumb/fingers through it, dripping the white everywhere or dropping shells into it. I am resolved to live with my weakness, and have become an expert shell picker-outer because of it.


So finally with this recipe i got to use the candy thermometer my Mom gave me for Christmas. Unfortunately, the pot was to small and it kept falling out, even with the clip. I got one almost good shot of it, though! I found the lemon curd started to boil before it reached temperature, so i had to be very careful that it did not splash me. This was thick, so it spurted like pasta sauce rather then just bubbled like boiling water.


And finally, the only real hard part of the operation, and it wasn't really all that difficult; i pushed it through a sieve to remove the egg shells and lemon seeds. Yummy. I had forgotten to zest the lemon before i juiced it, tried to zest the peels (and found a cut on my finger) and said forget it and just went with the zest from an extra lemon.  I had bought 4 just in case.


It doesn't look like a lot because it is in a large mixing bowl. So now that i have some yummy lemon curd, what am i to do with it? Hmmmm....Also, this is officially my 99th post! Later in the week, i plan on making gnocci for my 100th post, I can't wait to try the recipe, i am not exactly sure which day i am making it yet, though, since i was promised a dinner out this week! 


14 comments:

  1. YUM! I adore lemon curd. I learned how to make it about 2 years ago. It is such a perfect combination of tart and sweet. Congrats on making it successfully on your first try!

    I am really glad you commented on my blog, I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring yours!

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  2. I know what you can do, use it as a filling is a pastry crust! I love lemon curd, one of the first things I tried making.

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  3. Natasha, this looks wonderful and would be so nice to have in winter stores. I am new to your blog and have just spent some time browsing through your earlier posts. I really like the food and recipes you feature here. I'll be back. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  4. Your lemon curd turned out great! Totally delectable!

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  5. Thank you very much, i think i am going to use it in some lemon tarts this weekend, yummy!
    MegSmith & Mary, welcome, glad you can join us! Hope to see you around again!

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  6. Looks wonderful. Now you can make some little tarts or perhaps thumbprint cookies with it!

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  7. Thank you so much for commenting on my blog. I'm so happy you did! I'm following you now too. And I'm thinking I need to make some lemon curd!

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  8. Thank you, and welcome to the madness!! I was suprised it as so easy, and i can't wait to use it in a recipe! Have fun!!

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  9. Once I learned to make lemon cuird, I've been unable to stop. I mix id with a cup of whipped cream and put it on any baked good. You must try it with meyer lemons too.

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  10. This sounds yummy. Lemon is such a great flavor. I bet you're going to love the gnocchi. I posted about some I made a little while back and my family loved it!

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  11. Thanks! I am making the gnocci tomorrow night, i can't wait to try it!

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  12. Mmmm. I've been thinking of making this myself lately seeing all those lemons in the supermarket. So glad to have your recipe to try!

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  13. Hi. Thanks for visiting my blog. I love your blog. I am looking forward to looking around.

    I love lemon curd but have never tried to make it. Thanks for sharing your recipe and the excellent tutorial:)

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  14. Natasha! This is awesome! Isn't it such a lovely recipe? I love the flavor and I'm so glad you enjoyed it as well :)

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