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Monday, May 7, 2012

When Life Gives You Lemons

Have you ever woken up in the morning with a feeling of dread that something bad was going to happen that day?  That was Saturday for me...and as it turns out, I was right.  But that's too long and hard a story to tell right now.  It's Monday, after all, and we all need to think about more cheerful things.

The table looked gorgeous--I had David and a long-unused set of china to thank for that.
Last week was a whirlwind of work and appointments--we leave on vacation in less than a week, and with a cat diagnosed with bronchitis, houseguests (who we were actually terribly happy to see), work up to my ears and a to-do list as long as my arm, I didn't even touch my blog for another week.

Which means that I am behind in telling you about good events, such as the tea party I threw a week ago yesterday.  You may remember that my friend Arlitia started an event called "Tea and Strumpets," which was really an excuse for a fascinating group of women to get together, eat baked goods and drink lots of tea. 

When Arlitia held the first one, she made two varieties of scones, tea sandwiches and set out what must have been twenty teas to choose from--I lacked her tea variety, but I was determined to make what I think of as proper tea accoutrement--whipped cream, lemon curd, berry sauce plus crumpets and scones.

The crumpets discussion will have to wait, because those suckers were finicky.  Let me tell you about the absolute hit of the party.

Lemon curd.

I love lemon curd, but who knew it was so popular?  It's also ridiculously easy to make, a gorgeous color and you should never buy the stuff again.  It would make a perfect holiday gift in beribboned jars.

Lemon Curd
Adapted from Gourmet Magazine, April 2001

2 tbsp. lemon zest, finely grated
Juice of four lemons (about 1 cup)
Pinch of sea salt
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 3/4 sticks unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

In a small, heavy pot, combine the lemon zest and juice, sea salt, sugar and eggs and whisk together thoroughly.  Turn the stove on low and add all the butter in one batch.  Cook, whisking frequently, until all the butter melts and the curd thickens.  Do not let it boil, but when the curd is thick enough that you can see the whisking marks, remove the curd from the heat and strain it through a fine sieve or cheesecloth.

Transfer the strained curd to a small bowl and press a piece of plastic wrap against the surface.  Chill until the curd is thoroughly cooled, about 45 minutes.

Makes about 2 1/2 cups curd.

44 comments:

  1. I am so jealous of your tea party! The table really does look beautiful. I've never had lemon curd, but man, does it look could!

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    1. Colleen, you are always baking so much that I think you'd throw a fabulous tea party.

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  2. Homemade lemon curd is so fabulous, isn't it? I love your easy recipe, looks like it was well received on a table full of such delicious scones.

    PS, hope your cat is feeling better :)

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    1. The lemon curd was almost totally depleted by the end of the party. There was one leftover schmear, which we ate on French toast. Thanks for the good wishes for Ingrid!

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  3. Yes, I remember you telling us about the goings on at these "tea" parties! :) I love, love, love lemon curd and have been known to eat it with a spoon from the jar. I haven't tried to make it yet, though, but I'm saving your recipe for when I do!

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    1. Oh, and I hope things are OK now. I'm sorry to hear there was such a bad day.

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    2. Thanks, Anita. You must make your own--it's too good not to do so! And thanks for your good wishes, things will get better.

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  4. Very hectic week for you. However, the tea party does sound like a lot of fun. You must be a very bold person to be able to stand up to all those finicky eaters. I would be stressing, but the crazy thing is that they went for the lemon curd. That in itself says a lot regarding the taste. I love lemon and I am sure I would have been hoarding it.
    I hope things have settled a bit more for you now. Enjoy the day.

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  5. I like the sentiment of "when life throws you lemons, make lemon curd." Turning something sour to rich and creamy is the way to go! I have had troubles making this curd so will be trying this recipe - goodness it sounds easy! Hope you get everything done so you can go on vacation with a light heart (and a well cat).

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    1. Thanks, Claudia. Ingrid does seem to be on the mend, just a little wheezy. Of course I want her to be the picture of health before I hand her over to the housesitter.

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  6. I hope you are getting some much needed R&R with your delicious curd now my friend - I am sorry you had such a hectic week!
    Glad it's over now and beautiful tea party set :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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    1. I can't believe that I had that china in packing boxes for twelve years!

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  7. Love lemon curd, this looks perfect!
    Hopefully nothing too bad happened on Sat, and everything is ok!

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    1. Thanks. Saturday was a tough day, and I couldn't stomach talking about it this morning. It will work itself out.

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  8. That table is super pretty! And good job making lemon custard out of lemons ;)

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  9. Oh, your curd looks fabulous! Perfect for your tea party. Hope things are better today, my friend~

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  10. here is to a much better week for you! I can't say that I have ever had a proper tea-it is obvious that I am missing out on something.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Velva

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  11. We all can get busy with our work and the rest that comes along in our lives. I somehow have a little advantage when
    work is concern, I mean a little and take the time in between to post my articles. I am sure you are looking forward to the holiday, what a break it will be from our routine and that will surely do a whole lot of good for both of you.

    I have this high liking for sour taste and what more this taste comes from lemon. Though I have not made this curd before but I will want to and will make a wonderful spread on bread or any other will like to indulge in.

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  12. Oh I LOVE fresh lemon curd. I agree this would be a wonderful gift (maybe even for Mother's Day?). I could put it in cute little mason jars with ribbon and a tag :D Such a great idea!

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  13. I just love Lemon Curd, but never made it at home.Always got the storebought ones.This is a great recipe and def a great idea for Mother's Day!Wil be trying this for sure :)

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  14. I love the pictures form the tea party... lemon curd is the best!! :) I must make my own someday soon. Hope you have a wonderful trip and you get most of your to-do list done. :)

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  15. Tea party sounds wonderful and I can imagine lemon curd being a big hit, I mean nothing can be better when it's home made right? :)

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    1. Absolutely! I'm tempted to make some and keep it around the house, but I fear I'd inhale it.

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  16. "Tea and Strumpets" sounds wonderful to me! Thanks for this luscious recipe for lemon curd.

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  17. Tea party photo is beautiful. I hope your cat is doing better. Have a wonderful trip!

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  18. Tea party sound fun,,,beautiful set up on dining table,and i love lemon curd,but I never made my own,I hope your cat feeling better soon,and have a great vacation.

    Ridwan

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  19. How perfect for a tea party! I have always wanted to make my own lemon curd. Hope the kitty is feeling better!

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  20. YES! Lemon curd! I've been looking for a good recipe for that for a while now!

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  21. I love homemade lemon curd and this looks perfect for a tea party. :)

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  22. Your lemon curd looks beautiful. You remind me that I have a bunch of fresh lemon juice in my freezer waiting to become just this very thing. I am drooling just thinking about it.

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    1. I haven't made it with frozen lemon juice, but I see no reason it wouldn't work!

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  23. When life gives you lemons... make lemon CURD! :D Love it chica!

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  24. I love anything homemade, and I am excited to try homemade lemon curd. Haven't tried one yet. I am thinking this can be a great Mother's day gift. My mom adores lemons =)

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    1. It would make a perfect Mother's Day gift--and it's so easy to make.

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  25. I once tried to make clementine curd and it was a disaster (b/c once again, I did not read a recipe completely through before starting!) I have never been to a high tea and your table does look terrific. Hope things get better for you!

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  26. The lemon curd looks delicious, I'm sure that was an awesome tea party! Sorry to hear about the bad day, but good things are sure to come up. Hope you have a great time in your upcoming vacation!

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  27. I hope everything is okay! Good luck getting ready for vacation, sounds like it is coming just at the right time. Your blog can always wait, but life doesn't, so don't worry yourself (although, easier said than done because I don't follow my own advice). Great lemon curd recipe, I bet it was awesome!

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  28. Yummy looking curd. Hope it made up for a crappy day.

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  29. Lemon curd ... is there anything better? Sorry to hear about your bad Saturday, but I hope things have turned around.

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  30. Such a fun excuse to eat baked treats and drink tea :) Your lemon curd recipe so yummy! I've only made lemon curd once before... and discovered that I LOVE lemon curd! Definitely holding on to your recipe for later :)

    P.S. those scones in the background look awesome too!

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  31. This looks like I could tuck right in! Yum :)

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  32. Lemon curd looks great, it's something I've never made myself! Hope things cheer up for you.

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  33. Haha if you invited me, your whole lemon curd would have been consumed by me - guaranteed! Sounds like you are quite busy. I felt the same way since last week...or it's been that way. I need to breathe and vacation sounds good. You will leave for vacation soon. Have a safe trip!!!

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  34. Just nominated you for a Food Story Award: http://foodstoriesblog.com/food-stories-award/

    Can't wait to hear about the trip. Safe travels!

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