Musical pairing – Walking on Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves
If you saw this post then you’ll know how fortunate I am to have great blogging friends – especially blogging friends who live on the west coast in Southern California and who have Meyer lemon trees growing in their own yard . . . who then gleefully shared her good fortune by shipping boxes of Meyer lemons all over the country sprinkling Meyer lemon fairy dust over those of us covered in snow . . .
I will admit to this being the first time I’ve actually made any kind of curd and in fact, on the rare occasion I bake a cookie with lemon curd (which is usually during the holidays), I’ve always used store-bought . . . gasp! But somehow finding the time (especially during the holidays) to even bake cookies, I feel I am justified . . . seriously, I am not going to break out the cookware in the middle of the holiday season to whip up a batch of lemon curd when all I need is 1/2 cup total. And I might add that there is some mighty fine ready-made lemon curd on the shelves these days, thank-you-very-much.
Meyer lemons are a precious commodity in these parts; very hard to come by in my local grocery store and on the rare occasion when I can score some? Quite expensive; so it’s usually one specific recipe for the season and I’m done with the Meyer lemons.
I really wanted to make something special with my box of lemons and decided that I could stretch my good fortune of lemony goodness well into the winter months if I made Meyer lemon curd . . . enjoy some now, a jar or two in February and then again in March when I’m ready to ditch the Indiana cold, pack my bags and move in with Kim and Barry in Southern Cal-ih-forn-eye-aye!
This lemon curd is good enough to eat straight from the jar . . . with a spoon . . . and then clean the sides of said jar with your finger . . . not that I have done that or anything . . .
- Wash the jars and lids in hot, soapy water and dry thoroughly. Alternatively, run the jars through the regular cycle of your dishwasher; was the lids by hand.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, eggs, and sugar. Whisk in the lemon juice. Transfer to a double boiler. Cook over barely simmering water, whisking constantly, until the lemon mixture thickens and reaches 170 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer – about 20 minutes. (The mixture will be very foamy on top.)
- Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the lemon zest and butter.
- Using a wide-mouth funnel and filling one jar at a time, ladle the sauce into the prepared jars, leaving ½-inch headspace. Wipe the rims clean. Seal the jars and refrigerate until the lemon curd is thickened and completely cold, at least 4 hours.
SMITH BITES NOTE: I sealed mine in jars but I’ve also learned that Meyer lemon curd freezes well and will keep for up to one year!
This is my go to recipe for lemon curd and has been for a few years now. I freeze it after it has cooled and thickened and it keeps beautifully. I wish there was a say to incorporate the zest so that is doesn’t change the texture of the lemon curd but without it, the flavor isn’t as intense. Still, it is a wonderful recipe and I use it for both Meyer Lemons and Ponderosa lemons and it always tastes great.
Delicous!
We live in a part of the country that has no Meyers, and when they hit the store, we usually amaze the cashier & anyone in line, when we completely buy them out! Expensive, yes!
We always put most of the lemon peels to work, using them to make the yummiest lemoncello (an infusion with vodka, later to become the Italian Liquor, Meyers are the best for it, we think). A tray or two oflemon juice ice cubes for summer…and the rest into curd.Meyers are the best!
We tried your recipe this year & it is SO good! Curds freeze really well, so we bypass canning, & put the curd into the new screw top, plastic freezer jars. Fresh out of dishwasher, pour curd, when cool, cap & stick in freezer. holds well for at least 3 months- the longest we have ever gone without eating it all up.
This year, some went into thumprint cookies, baked with chopped up pistachios instead of usual walnuts or pecans.
Anyway, thank you so much!
Oh, phooey! I should have read the comments first. You’ve already answered my question about preserving the curd. Thanks.
Hi, Bee-u-ti-ful Meyer Lemon Curd! When you said you sealed it in the jars, did you do a water bath, or did you just pour the hot lemon curd into the jars and let the heat seal it (like you do when making jellies or preserves)? Would you please email me your answer? I would love to know as I love lemon curd, but didn’t know it would keep. Also, “which store-bought” lemon curds do you like? I’ve had one that was delicious but can’t remember the name. The rest have been a bit lame–sweet but not much lemon taste.
Thanks so much.
I love all things lemon! I will have to try this sometime [very] soon! Thanks for posting!
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Hi, and thank you for the recipe. I have looked at many lemon curd recipes and none of them talk of canning (preserving) lemon curd. Did you water bath or pressure cook your curd? Or just kept it in the freezer? Thanks.
Hi Cindy ~
I did not pressure cook my jars of lemon curd but I did place them in a water bath for about 5 minutes; however, lemon curd isn’t shelf stable so it’s not something you can leave in jars for any length of time. BUT lemon curd freezes up to 1 year so if you have enough you don’t think you’ll eat in a short period of time, I’d suggest going that route.
Store bought curds have stabilizers in them making them shelf stable – but that’s also why most taste somewhat bitter or acidic.
Hope that helps and thanks so much for coming back and asking the question – that recipe is probably the best curd I’ve ever made!
Thank you so much for the information Debra. I can’t wait to make the Lemon Curd this weekend.
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What a gorgeous colour! Meyer lemons are such a treat, I’d love to scoop this on a thick piece of toast!
What a great idea to get the most out of your Meyer lemons! I love any lemon curd, but made with Meyer lemons….mmmm….it must be fabulous!
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Just gorgeous, Debra, and I’m deeply jealous that your friends send you Meyer lemons, which I haven’t been able to find a local source for and doubt I’ve ever tasted. Someday… or at least I hope so.
This is definitely sunshine in a bottle! I have also never made my own lemon curd before, but this is a wonderful reminder. And oh, I have absolutely been known to clean out the lemon curd jar with my finger…hee hee 🙂
Isn’t it amazing how easy it is to make lemon curd? I couldn’t believe it when I made it the first time. And that first taste—pure citrusy heaven!
Hi my friend! I just received a box of Meyer lemons today…I feel so blessed by that California sunshine! I made some precious lemon tarts for my mom, but I’m in the need for a recipe like this! I would love to give this as a gift to some of my coworkers. Thank you for sharing such a bright and happy recipe. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!