Meyer Lemon-Lime Curd
Serve this classic curd from Gourmet magazine with sliced pound cake or sugar cookies for an easy and elegant dessert!
Ingredients:
1½ cups sugar
4 whole eggs, beaten lightly
4 additional egg yolks, beaten lightly
⅔ cup fresh lime juice
⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons freshly grated lime zest
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Method:
1. In a heavy saucepan whisk together the sugar, the whole eggs, the yolks, the juices and the zests and cook the mixture over moderately low heat, whisking, until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Add the butter, cook the mixture over low heat, whisking, for 10 to 12 minutes, or until it registers 160°F on a candy thermometer, and transfer it to glass jars. The curd will keep, covered and chilled, for up to 2 weeks.
Persimmon Cake
This homey, warm spice cake is fragrant with nutmeg, ginger and ripe persimmon.
Ingredients:
1 cup persimmon purée*
1 cup sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs, beaten
¼ cup apple juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon each of nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves and cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
*To make persimmon purée, make sure to use only very ripe persimmons (they are the texture of an overripe tomato; dark spots are okay). Peel the skin off the persimmons, remove any seeds, and purée in a food processor or blender.
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease baking pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together persimmon purée, sugar, and vegetable oil until uniform. Mix in the eggs, vanilla extract, and apple juice. Gradually add the baking powder, spices, and salt. Fold in the flour until just incorporated.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar before serving.
Cara Cara Orange Compote
Tart, sweet and lively with bright citrus flavor, this compote is excellent spooned over French toast!
Ingredients:
2 Cara Cara oranges, peeled and separated, pith removed
6 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons brandy
Method:
1. In a small, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, combine orange sections, sugar, and brandy. Using the back of a wooden spoon, mash oranges as they heat up to release juices. Stir until sugar dissolves.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Maple-Spiced Apples
These fragrant apples are wonderful served on top of French toast.
Ingredients:
4 apples, peeled, cored and sliced ¼-inch thick
2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons maple syrup
Method:
1. Melt butter in a heavy skillet. Add apples and cook over medium heat until they begin to soften.
2. Add brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon and maple syrup. Cook until most of the liquid is evaporated. Keep warm until ready to serve.
Variation: This recipe is also lovely with fall pears instead of apples, or a mixture of the two.
