Lemon Curd

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This particular recipe is another amended from the classic Mrs Beeton’s, one of my favourite classic cookbooks. I have adjusted the quantities, as once made, this stuff goes quickly.

When we moved to our home in 2003, we planted a lemon tree in the backyard. we were hopeful for fruit but is was several years before we got any. The tree suffered 10 years of severe drought, and my poor but persistent gardening skills. And only in the last couple of years has it really been fruiting. so much so I have even been donating fruit to passers by to our driveway.

If you don’t have a spare 18 years to wait for a tree to grow, shop bought lemons are perfectly fine for this recipe.

Notes

Having made this a few times there are a few things to bear in mind before you dive in and start making.

The recipe makes about 1 to 1.2 litres (3.5 – 4 cups) of liquid curd, that will need to be safely stored for later. I prepare 6 x 300ml glass jars and lids, for a total of 1.8 litres. If you have larger or smaller jars or even a combination; it doesn’t matter, just make sure you over estimate the final volume and prepare accordingly. I do this so that I then know I won’t be scrambling at the end to clean and sterilise an extra jar or two.

As with all baking and cooking, if you only have salted butter, it will still work, but not be as sweet tasting. If you only have margarine, my sympathies.

Finally, remember to relax into the process to be rewarded. Be aware this takes a while, don’t try to rush it or you will get lemon-sugar flavoured scrambled eggs, or some runny yellow ooze. DO NOT look at social media, the TV or something else to distract you, most certainly don’t try to cook other things. The stirring of curds once the eggs are added will need for full attention for around 10 minutes until it is off the heat and in the jars.

Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 large Lemons
• 6 x extra large Eggs
• 450g 2Cups Granulated Sugar
• 150g Unsalted Butter, cut into small pieces

1. Thoroughly wash and rinse the required jars and lids (see notes) then place on a baking tray and into an oven at 110°C, 225°F, Gas mark ¼
2. Wash the lemons then zest and juice them. As we will be straining the liquid later the zest can be coarse and there is no issue if any pips are in the juice.
3. Measure the sugar into a large heat resistant bowl, and add the zest and juice of the lemons.
4. Place the bowl over a pan of hot water to form the bain-marie and stir gently until all the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear.
5. Take off the heat and stir in the butter until melted.
6. Crack the eggs into a separate bowl, and whisk lightly.
7. Slowly pour the cooled lemon mix through a sieve, to remove the zest pieces and any pips, and onto the eggs whisking continuously so to combine and not scramble the eggs.
8. Place the egg-lemon mix back on the bain-marie and stir gently and continuously. Ensure to stir the bottom, middle and sides. The mixture is going to cook mainly from where it is in contact with the bowl and a heat resistant spatula or wooden spoon is best for this task.
9. After about five minutes, the mixture will be become thick and glossy. The exact point when it it ready is a judgement call, not a measurable one.
10. Take the jars from the oven and carefully fill each jar to the very top and put the lids on . The heat will create a vacuum seal and preserve the curd. If you have a half filled jar as is likely, put the lid on too, it will not seal quite the same and best that you just eat this one first.
11. Once cool, ensure to label the jars with both what is in it and when it was made.

Your lemon curd is ready to eat immediately, but will benefit from being allowed to rest for a couple of days if possible.

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