.......LEMON CURD. I have 5 improved Meyer lemon trees (Citrus X meyeri Improved Meyer,) all in pots. This is simply the best lemon; thin skinned and sweeter than the more common Eureka. The thin skin means that it does not travel well and for this reason it is rarely seen at the grocery store far away from where it is grown. The trees are usually quite easy to find in the spring and the dwarf plant grows well in a pot. If you get one next spring I can guarantee a great harvest next winter. An added bonus will be the deliciously fragrant blossoms which fill the night air with their perfume. My garden is too cold to leave the plants outside when frost threatens so they are usually brought into the house or the potting shed for the winter. Alas, they were not so protected during last weekends freeze and have suffered as a result. Today I picked 25 lemons from 2 of the trees and set about making lemon curd and lemon sorbet.
My grandmother used to make lemon curd to sell in her shop. She had a big brass pan and I would watch her stirring the contents slowly on top of her Aga cooker. Here is the recipe in case you would like to try.
3 large eggs
80z sugar
juice and grated rind of 2 large juicy lemons
3oz butter cut into several pieces.
Beat the eggs with the sugar. Add lemon juice. Add to a double boiler along with the butter. Cook stirring constantly until the curd thickens. Pot up in clean sterilized jars. Refrigerate or freeze. Delicious in cakes, over ice cream or on bread.
I also picked the limes from my Persian lime tree. They did not fare quite so well in the freeze. The juice must have frozen and was leaking out of the fruit. I plan to juice and freeze them for later use.
I love lemon curd and have quite a few lemons on my Meyer right now. How many pints does your recipe make?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYum! Now I must have a Meyer lemon. Someone was selling Meyer lemons two for $1 at the farmers' market. I bought some -- thin skinned, tart yet sweet -- awesome!
ReplyDeleteMmmmmmmm...my mouth watered as soon as I read the unexpected lemon curd. I need to research more about Meyer lemons, I've been hearing alot about them, lately.
ReplyDeleteI'm jotting down your lemon curd recipe right now. Thank you for sharing. Now where to find Meyer lemons in nw Ohio.
Jean- This is a small batch recipe as I only have a small double boiler. It makes 3 of the small mason jars. However, I made 3 batches yesterday and with the db it is very quick.
ReplyDeleteCaroline- 2 for $1 was a good deal. They must have a big tree in the ground. I wish I could put mine in the ground here but I am pretty sure it wouldn't survive.
T. Op-I would look out for the trees in the spring. They make a wonderful house plant after spending the sumer outside.
A friend of ours just gave us a tin of Scottish Shortcakes. Oh my it would be delightful to have some of your lemon curd to put on them when I have some with a cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteMy lemon tree is in the ground here is Georgetown TX. I had nine lemons this year so I too made lemon curd. Would you possibly be willing to share your mother's recipe for lemon sorbet? Yum!
ReplyDeleteWow, lovely lemon curd and sorbet. Thanks for the recipe - hope it's a seasy as it looks:)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great plant - nice fruit and lovely fragrant blossoms...
Anon- I wish I had a sheltered place to put a lemon tee in the ground like you. It sounds as though it fared well in the freeze. I got the sorbet recipe off the internet. It was delicious but very strong. I think it didn't have enough water in it. 1/1/1 I checked again and found another which had 2 1/2 c water and I think this will make a better mix. Also I found a recipe for lemon curd ice cream. that sounded delicious. I'll let you know. Still have loads of lemons to experiment with.
ReplyDeleteMmmmmmmmmm! Lemon Curd is wonderful. It's like taking a taste of sunshine. I am sorry your plants suffered with the freeze last weekend, but I think your cruise was worth it!
ReplyDeleteI agree that Meyer is the best lemon! I'm down to my last three lemons on my very small potted Dwarf Meyer. So good!
ReplyDeleteAiyana
In my garden I can´t grow lemons for my climate is too cold. Today it snowed!
ReplyDeleteBut I love and am writing down the recipe. Thanks!
Lisa- Nothing better than shortcakes with a cuppa. I just put the kettle on for my 4 o'clock cup.
ReplyDeleteEvelyn- Curd is easy to make especially if you have a double boiler, Then there is no danger of the eggs scrambling.
Morning glories- It is sad but then it's all in a gardener's day isn't it. The cruise was great and I will soon blog about a garden we visited in Madeira.
Aiyana- Di you think you could plant it in the ground. In my son's neighborhood thee are many lemon trees with a huge crop. He has one in a pot but I think it was too hot where he had it. Maybe afternoon shade would be better.
Yolanda-This lemon is a dwarf so will work in a pot. You would have to shelter it in the winter.
In CA we lived in Goleta, lemons and advocado orchards everywhere. The smell when these bloom can be so soothing. I am a fan of the Meyer (my maiden name even). I am going to take your suggestion and try one in a pot this spring on wheels to be able to bring them indoors. I've got full to partial shade on my apartment patio and along with some succulents I hope to discover my Austin green thumb! Perhaps the Dwarf Meyer would be good start?
ReplyDelete