So, what is lemon curd, and what do you do with it?
Lemon curd is essentially a preserve or condiment made with lemon juice, eggs, sugar and butter. The first three ingredients get blended and softly warmed so that the eggs thicken the mixture. Whisking in cold butter finishes it off and smoothes it out.
What you do with it is the fun part. Use it on toast, scones, biscuits, or English muffins. Blend it into whipped cream to layer with cake and fruit in a trifle. Top a cheesecake with a layer. Fill a cake with it. Stir it into yogurt. Spoon it onto a slice of pound cake. Anywhere you want a burst of sweet, creamy, pleasantly tart, lemony-ness, this curd is your gal.
A small jar of this makes a lovely holiday gift. Tie on a tag with the above advice for how to put the lemon curd to good use, and remind the recipient to keep it refrigerated.
Oh, and lime juice also works; then you have lime curd. A nice way to switch it up.
LEMON CURD
Makes about 2 cups (about 16 servings)
Start to finish: 3 hours (30 minutes hands-on; 2 1/2 hours chilling time)
1 large egg
4 large egg yolks
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces
Pinch kosher salt
Nutrition information per serving: 107 calories; 51 calories from fat; 6 g fat (3 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 71 mg cholesterol; 22 mg sodium; 13 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 13 g sugar; 1 g protein.
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