I started the scarf on my birthday last February, so I only have a month to go. By the time one reaches their fifties you would think they wouldn't be too anxious to see another birthday roll around. Not so in my case. The big day can't come soon enough. The weather we have had lately hasn't helped. Here's a sample.
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| All this grey garter stitch should explain why I have been on a Fair Isle binge |
Saturday morning, in the midst of all this greyness, I was reading some of my favourite blogs. Both Hail Britannia and Dovegreyreader (you will have to scroll down to the January 5 post) had bright, beautiful pictures of the lemon curd they had just made. I love lemon curd, but had never considered making it myself. But it just so happened that I had some Meyer lemons that needed to be used. I decided that if Mother Nature wasn't going to produce any sunshine, I would make my own.
Google produced lots of recipes. I used this one, paying close attention to what the reviewers said about the eggs. The ingredients are minimal - lemons, eggs, butter and sugar. I loved watching the colour change as it thickened.
Saturday night I made a lemon mousse. But that wasn't really what I had in mind when I made this lemon curd. It was destined for the scones I made yesterday.
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| Just looking at this brightens my day! |
To me lemon curd seems about as British as you can get, which made it the perfect accompaniment to the premiere of season 3 of this.
Yes, I am one of those. A diehard fan. In my defence I would just like to say I was hooked on the show long before it became all the rage on this side of the pond. Delicious lemon curd and a whole season of Downton Abbey ahead. Something bright to focus on during the darkest days of winter.
I have the episode waiting in my itunes...can't just drop everything and watch right now, but it's tempting. I'll have a cuppa tea with it, but the scones look tasty.
ReplyDeleteI'm watching it through iTunes, too. I ended up watching the Call the Midwife Christmas special last night, so have the first episode of Downton to look forward to tonight. Dropping everything and watching right now sounds like a reasonable thing to me! I think you should make that cuppa and watch it this afternoon. :-)
DeleteI've *always* wanted to make lemon curd! Maybe I will now, with your inspiration. It looks so yummy on scones. And Downton Abbey (I've already seen all of this season, downloaded it [illegally shhhh]) is so amazing, I could watch it over and over and over. Even just the opening music gets me going.
ReplyDeleteIt was so easy, and oh so good! If you can get the Meyer lemons be sure to use those. Regular lemons will work, but the flavour won't be quite as good.
DeleteAnd shame on you for watching Downton ahead of the rest of us. :-)
You were a Downton before Downton was cool! I got hooked last spring and did a marathon--then had to wait FOREVER until last night. Some lemon curd and scones would have been delightful!
ReplyDeleteIt is so much fun to find a series late in the game. The marathon watching sessions are fun! But yes, then there is that horrid withdrawal once you get caught up. Happy watching!
DeleteWe made lemon curd on Friday too, I'm afraid I am lazy and use a recipe that cooks it in the microwave. Home made tastes so much nicer, unfortunately we have already used lots of it!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoyed Downton, I love wtching it to, sadly we will now have to wait until the Autumn for more.
Sarah
It must be lemon curd season! I was tempted to try a microwave recipe, but thought I better stick with the traditional one for my first attempt. Thanks for letting me know your curd is almost gone already. Now I don't feel so guilty over the fact mine is almost gone, too. :-)
DeleteYes, it will be a long, dry spell for you until season 4 starts in the fall!
I haven't watched the show yet but last night before the season opener they had a special on that talked about the real castle and it's history...got my interest peaked for sure...now to start at the beginning...
ReplyDeleteOh lucky you to be at the very beginning! You are in for a treat!
DeleteMy husband and I LOVE lemon curd. We had it when we were in England in 1992 - it was so delicious. I tried making homemade one time and it flopped so I haven't made it since!
ReplyDeleteYours (and your scones) look delicious!
I think you should give it another try. Read through some of the reviews for the recipe I linked to. They talk about what to do to keep the egg from curdling. It is so much better than the stuff you buy from the store!
DeleteDownton Season 3 is finally here and I'm SOOO excited! It didn't disappoint. I cannot wait for next week. Your scones look delish!
ReplyDeleteIt is almost like all of us on this side of the Atlantic were holding our collective breaths, just waiting for the show to start. :-)
DeleteI could not imagine a more delicious post for this drippy cozy inside-type day. Inspired by it, and you (of course), the tea is ON, and I'm downloading more Downton as we speak. I'll be dreaming of your scones and lemon curd, while nursing my tea in my cozy robe and Christmas slippers. Wish you were here! <3
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely an inside-type day - perfect for watching some Downton episodes. If you were here I would share some of my lemon curd with you. Sadly the scones are all gone!
DeleteOh, you made me a little sad.... I can't eat lemon curd and I miss it terribly. :( But cheery colours today, so thanks for that!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you can't eat lemon curd. Can you have curd made with a less acidic fruit? I'm glad the bright yellow cheered you up. You have probably had even less sunshine than we have!
DeleteI don't know that I've ever seen curd made with anything other than citrus...?
DeleteI think you could use any fruit. Here's a link to a raspberry curd I might try making.
Deletehttp://bigfatbaker.com/blog/no-bake-recipes/how-to-make-organic-raspberry-curd/
I watched it at 6pm then again at 9, nice having both Detroit and Seattle PBS stations. Best show ever on PBS.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny that you watched it twice in a row! It is one of the best shows ever anywhere. Have you seen Call the Midwife? It is another great show out of Britain. I have season one on DVD, but I think it has also played on PBS.
DeleteNot only do I love seeing what you're knitting up, but I find myself finishing several of your posts slightly hungry... :D
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad there isn't a way for me to give out samples along with the posts! :-)
DeleteLemon curd!! Get behind me! Much too tempting! Hot, buttered toast and a large spreading of lemon curd....my all time favourite lunchtime treat!!! Cx
ReplyDeleteSadly I can't have it on toast (I am trying to stay gluten-free), but I can imagine how yummy that would be! Sorry to be the source of temptation. :-)
DeleteThat is a lot of grey. Thankfully the days are headed back towards getting longer and hopefully spring will arrive in earnest when it's supposed to this year.
ReplyDeleteMy wife loves anything made with fresh lemons. If I'm feeling brave in February I can surprise her with this on her birthday.
Yes, I keep telling myself that the days are getting longer. But it is a bit too early to notice much of a difference.
DeleteI think you should definitely try the curd! It isn't too difficult. If your wife likes lemon I guarantee she'll like this!
Lemon curd is perfect recycled sunshine, and Downton Abbey is great fun (if about as historically accurate as Blackadder) ... so glad you've found some relief from all that grey.
ReplyDeleteIt might interest you to know that Woolfest, which takes place in Cumbria every summer, has a number of food stalls, one of the most popular of which sells the most delicious home made lemon curd :D
That's funny that the lemon curd stall is so popular! My daughter came over yesterday to make a batch of curd in my kitchen (her starter kitchen is a little short on cooking pots and ingredients). It is curd season around here! I wish I was able to make it to Woolfest in Cumbria to sample some there.
DeleteAnd are you saying Downton Abbey isn't historically accurate? :-)
I desparately hate winter, I probably have that seasonal whatever disorder, I get really depressed and all... but those pics of lemon made me think of my very favorurite, key lime pie.I haven't had a good one since we left Miami in 1998...from time to time, I try to make something that resembles it, maybe it is time for an other round of trials... after the uni exams of course.
ReplyDeleteKey lime pie is a big thing in the US, especially the southern US. I am not 100% sure, but I think you need a special variety of limes called key limes to make a true key lime pie. You can use regular ones but it won't be quite the same.
DeleteI'm sorry you struggle with the winter. Many people do. Have you tried one of the lights that people use to treat your seasonal affective disorder?
Downton Abbey... love it to bits, we had a christmas day special here and what a belter it was.
ReplyDeletehope you enjoy it... what series are you on??
Sorry, the comment below was meant to be a reply to your comment!
DeleteSeason 3 has just started to air over here. We have all heard the nasty rumours about that Christmas Day special. I have tried to avoid any spoilers, but have heard enough to know something ominous happens.
ReplyDeleteI also love Downton Abbey. Here in Portugal Season 3 has aired in November/December 2012. But I'm not telling you how it ends!
ReplyDeletePart of me thinks you were lucky to see it earlier than us, but the other part of me is glad I still have it to look forward to. Thanks for not telling me how it ends!
DeleteI've never tried to make curd before but have always wanted to...your post reminded me of that! I definitely love citrus in the middle of winter so need to get on that. I accidentally ran into the DA spoilers online...I was trying to find when it was airing here on OPB and the headlines were right there. I'm not happy with the spoilers...either that I saw them or what happens but I still 'have' to watch the darn show.
ReplyDeleteI've heard enough to know I'm not going to be happy with happens with DA either. :-(
DeleteThe lemon curd is fairly simple to make and worth the effort. Even if it didn't taste yummy, which it does, the bright yellow in the jar makes it worth doing. I swear you could soak up some vitamin D just by looking at the stuff - it's almost like sunshine!