Saturday, February 28, 2009

Needing some spring + recipe

It has been a long winter this year. Cold, lots of snow, bitter wind, cold temps, cold viruses, and did I mention it's been cold?

Yeah, it is so not my favorite season-although I will concede it has its beauty at times.

Still, I am more than ready to be done with winter. I'm ready for sunny days, leaving the house without bundling up, green grass, flowers, grilling pizza...I'm ready for summer.

In the meantime, I'd settle for spring. Not the mud so much, but the beginning of blooms, the pretty colors, and longer days.



The girls and I had plans to go to a "big" Joann's store today. Since one of our options puts us right in Earl and Kathy's neck of the woods, I called to see if they'd be home and we planned a visit to deliver the linens from Aunt Sharon.

I had some lemons languishing in my crisper drawer, drawing ever closer to the end of their useful life and I happen to know a little secret about Kathy. She adores lemon curd. I decided that I needed (yes, needed) to make lemon curd for Kathy (yes, for Kathy-you think it was really for me?) and that some lemon-poppyseed scones would be a great go-along.

Doesn't the sight of that bright yellow curd cheer your heart? It looked so pretty next to her flowers from a friend.

I'm convinced that lemon curd was invented for the dark, cold days of late winter, to remind us that the sun will shine again and spring is on its way.


Lemon Curd

1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup sugar
zest of one lemon
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup butter, chilled and cut into 4 pieces


Whisk together the egg, egg yolk, sugar, lemon zest, and juice in a small saucepan. Add the butter pieces and place over low heat. Cook about 10 minutes, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula to prevent sticking, until the mixture just coats the back of a spoon. Do not boil!
Immediately remove from the heat and scrape into a small bowl. Press plastic wrap over the curd to prevent a skin from forming. Place in the refrigerator.


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3 comments:

  1. Karen, your whole picture was bright and Spring like!! It was in the 80's today, like Summer. So I did see some trees with blossoms!

    Your Spring will come soon!! Then we can share beautiful pictures!

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  2. Oh Karen,

    I am with you! I awoke to snow this morning! I am sooo ready too! Come on Spring!

    In the meantime, I am going to try your lemon curd recipe! We adore lemon curd here at our cottage! How about sharing the recipe for your scones? We have a delightful one we use regularly, but always like to have options!

    Hope Kathy is feeling better!

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  3. You really made the lemon curd just for me? You must be the best sister ever! I licked, um, I mean, I finished the jar last night. It was so good:>) I am sure you are right, it couldn't be considered a "sweet":>) Lord, forgive me!

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Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with me!