Meyer Lemon Curd

Oh my. I had purchased Meyer lemons for my Meyer Lemon & Strawberry Ice Cream and found that they were so big and juicy I had way more than I needed. I was able to get 1/2 cup of juice in about 1 1/2 lemons versus the normal 5 or so.

The first thing that popped into my head was lemon curd. I didn't realize how addicted to this I would get.



Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of the preparation. I was too busy licking the whisk.

Have you tried to lick a whisk before? Of course you haven't. Its so unlady-like.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup meyer lemon juice, 2 tsp of zest, heaping 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, pinch of salt and 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cut into chunks.



Now there are 2 ways to do this:
1. The safe way which involves using a double boiler or
2. The lazy way that involves a sauce pan because you don't want to wait for and then wash the double boiler that you used for the ice cream.

Using a double boiler: Place your bowl over simmering water. Add juice, zest, sugar, eggs and pinch of salt and whisk together to break the yolks, then add the chunks of butter and whisk until it thickens. I've also done this using a hand mixer. Then press through a strainer and voila, you've made lemon curd!




Using a saucepan: Whisk together juice, zest, sugar, eggs and pinch of salt. Place saucepan over low heat, add the chunks of butter and whisk until its melted. Then keep whisking. Increase the heat a bit, to about medium/low. Don't stop whisking! Keep going until it thickens to a beautiful, luscious curd. Immediately press through a strainer. Lick spatula. Lick strainer.

I truly believe that since we whisked this by hand it's considered a workout and therefore balances out the calories consumed from the finished product.

Put in pretty jars and give away as presents, use to top crumpets (which I just discovered) or scones, fill cakes...or cupcakes with it OR just eat it with a spoon like my mom does. Kept covered and refrigerated it will last a week.

Note: I haven't made this with regular lemons yet but they are much more tart/bitter than meyer lemons so I would say increase your sugar to 1 cup. I'll play around with this. If perhaps you make it and its too tart for you... you might fold in some sweetened whipped cream. Report back if you try it!