Monday, December 13, 2010

Stockings Hung and Lemon Curd

And the stockings were hung on the staircase with care.

I don't have a chimney.


And I couldn't find the red satin ribbon that I usually use to hang them. So I used poultry twine. What can I say, I'm a cook. I use what I have.

I couldn't bear to not hang TBHITW's stocking. TBHITW always called our stockings "socks". This was a point of contention with us. A Midwest versus East Coast kind of thing. He also called soda, "pop".. oy-ee-vay.

Maybe Santa will find it in his heart to put something in his sock.

I would like that; even if it is really a stocking.

Lemon Curd is expensive to buy but easy to make. If you want a treat on Christmas morning to top your waffles or French Toast or English Muffin or cheese cake or ice cream or whatever you eat on Christmas morning whip up a batch of this in the coming week or so. It keeps beautifully in your refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. It is sweet and sour - like this holiday is to me.

Lemon Curd: makes 2 cups (easily doubles)

3 lemons (unrefrigerated)
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)
1 cup sugar
3 eggs, beaten well

Zest the lemons and mince the zest. Set aside.
Juice the lemons. Set aside.
Combine the zest, juice, butter and sugar. Place in a small saucepan or double boiler.

Cook, stirring occasionally until the sugar is dissolved.

Beat the eggs with a whisk. Add a small amount (2 tablespoons) of hot juice mixture to eggs to temper the eggs*.
Now add the egg mixture very (read very) slowly to the juice mixture. Make sure the heat is VERY low. (are you getting that I mean VERY?).
Cook, stirring constantly until mixture thickens. DO NOT BOIL.  (about 10 minutes).
Cool slightly and pour into jars, custard cups or a sealable plastic storage bowl. (I like small jelly or mason jars for this).
Refrigerate and enjoy at will.

*A Cook's Notes: Tempering the eggs means adding a bit of the hot mixture to the eggs so that the eggs won't scramble when added to the hot ingredients. If you are patient you can do this!

PS: Tinsel by the fistful.

8 comments:

  1. Lemon curd sounds delicious. I want some!

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  2. We also say STOCKINGs on the west side. : ) I made lemon curd for gifts last year- it is soo easy, delicious, and it looks pretty in a cute little jar! Yum.

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  3. Of course you should hang TBHITW's stocking. I still set a place at the dinner table on every holiday, for my mother and it's been 10 years. We say stocking in the South, but tend to call soda, either pop or Coke. The lemon curd sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Thanks for the recipe. That stuff is expensive and had to get some recently to do some lemon bars made with it. Will help next time. Glad to know you hung his "sock".

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  5. Just wanted to let you know that I shared your tinsel story with my husband and we agreed that this we should put it on our tree. We will be decorating it tonight (I know - a little late) But we will "throwing by the fistfull" at the tree in honor of TBHITW!

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  6. From now on I will always have a soft spot for tinsle by the fistful.

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  7. So, could you make lemon curd with clementines?

    Also, I put your tinsel on my tree.

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  8. I am so glad that there is tinsel by the fistful on your tree. Take care.

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Wow. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I love feedback... what with being a cook and all. I will respond to your comments via email (if you do not have a "noreply" address or here, below your comment) As always, Bon Appetite!

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