sunshine, lemons and a whispering curd

Posted on November 7, 2011 by cityhippyfarmgirl

A rush of lemons.

Limoncello is now on the go, but it took three lots of lemons before I was happy with the quality that was to be used.

So what do I have? A whole lot of lemons. Lucky for me, I love lemons.

Limoncello, lemon cordial, and lemon curd have all been fiddled with in the kitchen this week. Limoncello will wait for another day as it’s not ready yet, but the cordial and curd? Cordial bottle nearly empty and there is now a large jar of curd whispering to me from the fridge. That’s right, she whispers. Sings to me from a closed door. Letting me know she is there and waiting.

Just a little taste as you walk on by, come on…you can do it. Leave the carrots, it’s me you really want. Where’s your teaspoon honey?…

It’s hard. It really is. Husky voiced, the lemon curd allures and entices you with her whispered sing song voice. Just a little teaspoon indeed.

It’s the Lauren Bacall of the fridge. Refined, sultry tones and probably wearing a beautifully cut Chanel type pants suit too. All that in a jar of old fashioned lemon curd…who knew?

Lemon Curd

1 cup of lemon juice

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 beaten eggs

1 tbls cornflour

In a pot add the juice and sugar. Bring to the boil, turn down a little and simmer for about 5 minutes. All sugar should be dissolved. In a bowl whisk your eggs and cornflour together. Slowly drizzle this mixture into the juice and sugar mixture, whisking quickly as you do. Keep at a simmer until the curd thickens.

Lemon Cordial

1 cup lemon juice

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

Equal parts strained lemon juice, sugar and water. Juice the lemons, strain the juice. In a pot add the sugar and water and bring to a rapid boil. Boil until it thickens slightly. (For me this took six minutes, depends on the amount you are using and also the pot though. Then add your lemon juice.

Store in a bottle and leave in the fridge. Serve with mineral water, ice and a couple of sprigs of mint, or perhaps a little vodka… or just good old tap water.

58 thoughts on “sunshine, lemons and a whispering curd”

Celia on November 7, 2011 at 5:31 am said:

It’s a lovely golden time of year, isn’t it, Brydie? Beautiful photos and recipes, and what a fab old melamine table you have! Very retro! 🙂

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 7, 2011 at 1:45 pm said:
  
  I love my table too Celia 🙂 Took a while to find it. My dream kitchen is all retro….one day, one day.
  
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Misk Cooks on November 7, 2011 at 5:58 am said:

Lemons, don’t you just love them to bits? Their scent is so fresh and delicious. I buy lemons in a gigantic net bag, and during the summer we go through about two a day. Lemon cordial made from agave syrup is something that I make regularly, and keep in the fridge. It’s a real summertime drink. 🙂

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 7, 2011 at 1:47 pm said:
  
  I still haven’t played with agave syrup yet, I should get some.
  It’s hotting up here so the cordial I think will have a permanant place in the fridge over summer.
  
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Frogdancer on November 7, 2011 at 6:40 am said:

Is it 1.2 CUPS of sugar in the curd?

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Frogdancer on November 7, 2011 at 6:41 am said:

Now I’ve done a typo…

I meant 1.5

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 7, 2011 at 1:48 pm said:
  
  Sorry about that, yep 1.5 cups of sugar. It’s not super duper sweet.
  
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Choclette on November 7, 2011 at 7:00 am said:

Love all that yellow and the thought of you being whispered to from the fridge.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 7, 2011 at 1:48 pm said:
  
  I’s hard Choclette, darn hard…. It’s whispering to me now.
  
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teawithhazel on November 7, 2011 at 7:48 am said:

brydie i just love all the photos of your kitchen table with the different goodies on it..they’re so pretty..

lemons are a’plenty here too and like you i’ve been making curd and cordial..but i’ve never made limoncello..i wonder if i should get on the bandwagon!

by the way i eventually found the easyo sachets and i tried making the yoghurt in my oven on the dough proving/yoghurt making setting but it didn’t work..i’m sure that’s because of the cold water method used.. so i bought the easyo maker the next day and it worked a treat even though the mix had been in the fridge..it’s so much easier than the method i’d been using where i used fresh milk that was heated and cooled to specified temperatures..and last night i made my first batch with powdered milk which was a success..so thanks for the great idea..

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 7, 2011 at 1:51 pm said:
  
  Please do get on the bandwagon with the limoncello. I haven’t tasted mine yet, but I think it’s doing all the things it should be. I’ll post about it when it’s done. Fingers crossed!
  Excellent about the yogurt too 🙂
  
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Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide on November 7, 2011 at 8:47 am said:

Oh I have to make that curd the next time I make a batch of limoncello.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 7, 2011 at 1:55 pm said:
  
  Have you posted your method for limoncello? I thought you might have done one but couldn’t find anything when I first started on it. I still have your limoncello tiramisu book marked on my pinterest too. Life with lemons is good.
  
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Rose on November 7, 2011 at 9:15 am said:

Limes are good in your curd recipe too, even mandarins. I wish I could give you some of my limes! Mandarins should be way cheap at the moment.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 7, 2011 at 1:56 pm said:
  
  I wish you could give me some of your limes too Rose. If there is one thing I love more than lemons and that’s limes!
  
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spicegirlfla on November 7, 2011 at 9:29 am said:

I adore lemons…in any way! And your cordial I do believe, is calling my name! How refreshing that must taste! And the curd…I could probably eat it by the spoonful!!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 7, 2011 at 1:57 pm said:
  
  See, the curd whispers. Even from across oceans.
  
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Christine on November 7, 2011 at 9:30 am said:

Give in to the whisperings, my dear, you know you want to! Fruitless not too, really.

Would love to have a go at making lemon cordial someday although I seem to be holding off in the hopes that each year our tree will produce enough to do so…no luck yet but one day, one day!

This limoncello of yours has me most intrigued…do update soon. 🙂

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 7, 2011 at 1:59 pm said:
  
  I will update soon. I’m hoping it has worked, but still needs a little more thinking time. I’m still at the open the cupboard, admire it a little, give it a swirl and then close the door again.
  
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ceciliag on November 7, 2011 at 9:36 am said:

SNAP, I am going to make limoncello next week too and i love lemon curd, I shall try your recipe this time! excellent.. c

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 7, 2011 at 1:59 pm said:
  
  Excellent! I’ll be interested to see how you do yours Cecilia.
  
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hotlyspiced on November 7, 2011 at 9:52 am said:

I think lemons are the most essential ingredient in any kitchen. They are so versatile and go well in drinks, savoury dishes and sweet dishes. I even use them to clean my chopping boards. You are fortunate to have so many on hand.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 8, 2011 at 5:32 am said:
  
  It was just a lemon week, unfortunately I’m down to two and that may be the end of the lemon love for awhile.
  
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kari @ bitesizedthoughts on November 7, 2011 at 10:01 am said:

I know those whispers 🙂 Mine don’t apply to lemon curd, but that’s only because I don’t have any. I might have to rectify that!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 8, 2011 at 5:33 am said:
  
  Good, glad I’m not the only one who hears the whispers.
  
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Mrs Bok on November 7, 2011 at 2:36 pm said:

I love lemons! And lemon curd YUMMO. Lovely table and glasses too 🙂

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 8, 2011 at 5:33 am said:
  
  Thanks Mrs Bok
  
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Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on November 7, 2011 at 2:48 pm said:

I always get so excited when my mother gives me lemons! She doesn’t eat them but I adore them. This post is sunshine for sure! 🙂

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 8, 2011 at 5:34 am said:
  
  It’s so much nicer being given lemons than buying them isn’t it.
  
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InTolerant Chef on November 7, 2011 at 3:06 pm said:

I love lemons and limes, I have 4 little cirtus trees in my garden, but not a lot of fruit yet. When I do, I’ll come back to these recipes, yumm…

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 8, 2011 at 5:35 am said:
  
  Limes are wonderful too. I hope those little trees are mighty fruitful for you!
  
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Stupendous Joy on November 7, 2011 at 3:14 pm said:

Hilarious! That happens to you too hey. I’m so pleased it’s not just me.
I was only just talking about making lemon cordial this morning… you are spot on!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 8, 2011 at 5:36 am said:
  
  Phew. Good to hear that Lauren Bacall resides in someone elses fridge as well.
  
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Tandy on November 7, 2011 at 5:27 pm said:

I am determined to try and make the cordial some time soon 🙂

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 8, 2011 at 5:37 am said:
  
  Super easy Tandy.
  
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Mark on November 7, 2011 at 6:05 pm said:

Re limoncello – have you used vodka or a purer alcohol? If the alcohol, where did you get it from?

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 8, 2011 at 5:37 am said:
  
  No, just the vodka Mark. I’ll see how this batch goes first and then move on to others if it works.
  
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Wendy on November 7, 2011 at 7:27 pm said:

I have six lemons in the fridge and there will be cordial! Yours tasted so deliciously refreshing…

As for lemon curd – I do love it but particularly adore a pink grapefruit version.

Today I went to buy a lime to have with some dark rum and strong ginger beer (it’s been that kind of day…) and put it back when I read the they were $3 each…[insert sad face here]. Oh for lime and lemon tree.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 8, 2011 at 5:40 am said:
  
  $3 each! Eeek Wendy.
  
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ChopinandMysaucepan on November 7, 2011 at 7:50 pm said:

This is such a great way to use up excess lemons and they have so much nutritional value too!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 8, 2011 at 5:41 am said:
  
  It was either of those or a whole lot of lemon meringue pie….I thought the cordial and curd would be safer.
  
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Kirsty@BowerbirdBlue on November 7, 2011 at 10:13 pm said:

so beautiful, my kids were asking for lemon butter today! Love your lemon table.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 8, 2011 at 5:41 am said:
  
  I love that table too 🙂
  
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Mariana on November 7, 2011 at 10:33 pm said:

Are the lemons yours? They look perfect. I have none at the moment so I am curious about the rush of lemons where you live. I have a few limes, but that’s about it. Lemon curd is one of my absolute homely, cosy, fav foods. I agree about the allure of the lemon curd – something so luscious and velvety about it.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 8, 2011 at 5:44 am said:
  
  None of the lemons were mine, although I wish they were. The word was out I was on the hunt for lemons for limoncello. My farmers market stall gave me a whole bundle, Mr C came home with a bundle and then someone else’s back yard lemons came in too. It could have been worse 🙂
  
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  - Mariana on November 8, 2011 at 11:31 am said:
    
    Wow well done – sounds like your determination to find lemons paid off.
    
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Just A Smidgen on November 8, 2011 at 12:43 am said:

I love your description… beautiful lemon curd:) Now I hear her voice as well! I didn’t know you could make limoncello, I’ve a bottle in my cupboard but it was purchased. Yours would taste so fresh!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on November 8, 2011 at 5:45 am said:
  
  I’m not sure yet how it tastes, but I’m verrrrry curious!
  
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Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake on November 8, 2011 at 11:07 am said:

I love the way you write! It’s so poetic 🙂 I love lemons too, but I’m going to be so sad when I move house because I’ll miss the lemon tree in my backyard. 😦

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JohannaGGG on November 8, 2011 at 1:23 pm said:

love your green chairs and envy your love of lemons – I just can’t embrace them like you do but after one go of lemon barley water I want to try again – or maybe even lemon cordial. Highly recommend the chamomile lemon drink on In the Mood for Noodles if you want some different ways of using lemons! I am hoping the blossoms on our little lemon tree will turn into this drink one day 🙂

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Kate on November 8, 2011 at 1:31 pm said:

Oh how divine!
Your photos, and words and recipe, you make me miss my home and especially home grown. Yum! x

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spiceandmore on November 9, 2011 at 9:53 am said:

I love lemons…and anything with lemons in it!
Your table is gorgeous…goes perfectly with the lemons. Must be a little burst of sunshine in your kitchen.

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Amanda on November 9, 2011 at 9:56 pm said:

Aren’t lemons fabulous? And aren’t we soooo lucky to be able to grow them so easily? I’ve had a lemon tree in the garden of my (various) houses for over 20 years – don’t know what I’d do if I had to buy them.

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C on November 11, 2011 at 6:37 am said:

I love the look of that curd, and can quite imagine why it’s whispering to you – I’m sure it’d be whispering to me too! Your lemons look gorgeous and fresh and perky, I wish I could buy such delicious produce here!

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Betsy on November 15, 2011 at 3:52 pm said:

I have a bunch of lemons sitting around for a cake I didn’t get around to making on the weekend, and I was just wondering this morning what to do with them. Good timing! I think lemon cordial is a plan. Yum 🙂

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My Italian Smörgåsbord (Aka Barbara) on November 17, 2011 at 9:57 am said:

yum… home-made lemon curd? and I thought the season of home-made jams was over… gotta think about this one!

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jamieott on November 27, 2011 at 10:02 am said:

definitely trying the lemon curd recipe!

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