As soon as the Seville oranges arrived in the shops I bought some and commenced my annual battle with boiling oranges and sugar, attempting to find the correct setting point for a perfect marmalade!
Marmalade and I do not really get along. I am always secretly relieved that the oranges have such a short shelf life. Fortunately, lemons are a different matter. During the last two weeks I have been making all sorts of lemony treats.
I love making sweetly sharp Lemon Curd. I often use a recipe from my fellow Garlic and Sapphire blogger, Karen. Her recipeis superb.
This month however I used Sarah Raven’s recipe, as it forms part of her Primrose Lemon Curd Cupcakes (Page 87, Food for Friends and Family). These are a delightfully indulgent treat, and I would recommend them as a perfect gift for Mothering Sunday. I’m certainly baking some for my mother, and will be taking the remaining Lemon Curd in a pretty jar for her to enjoy too.
I also made Sarah’s scrumptious Lemon and Poppy Seed Kugelhopf Cake. It went down a storm recently when I baked it for some friends and will be featuring at my next book group meeting. Homemade lemonade is a great favourite in my family. I tend to make a small batch in the morning and find that it’s usually finished within a day.
I make a simple syrup, using the juice of 4 lemons and 6 oz sugar. I put both into a small saucepan and warm until the sugar has dissolved, I then decant the syrup into a small jug and once it is cooled it can be diluted with water, perfectly refreshing with a slice of lemon and some ice. So, if you're feeling a little like a zesty spring treat, how about making something with lemons?
And... if you're feeling experimental, why not try growing your own lemon tree!
