Best Lemon Food

WORLD'S BEST LEMON MERINGUE PIE

Steps:

• In saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch, and salt; blend in water.
• Stir, while bringing to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir until thick, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return to hot mixture.
• Bring to boiling and cook one minute, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat.
• Add lemon peel and butter.
• Slowly stir in 1/3 cup lemon juice.
• Cool to lukewarm; pour into cooled pastry crust.
• MERINGUE:.
• Beat egg whites with 1 teaspoon lemon juice to soft peaks.
• Gradually add 6 tablespoons sugar, beating until stiff peaks form and ALL the sugar has dissolved (test with fingers).
• Spread over filling, SEALING to edges of pastry to avoid shrinking.
• Bake in moderate oven (350 degrees Fahrenheit) 12 to 15 minutes or until meringue is golden brown.
• Cool pie thoroughly.

THE BEST LEMON CURD

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, stir together lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, and salt. Set over medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the sugar and salt have dissolved.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl beat together 3 eggs and 4 egg yolks. Whisk it very well.
• When the liquid on the stove is ready, slowly pour some of it into the bowl with the eggs, whisking constantly. I usually pour in about half, but you can do more or less. This is called tempering the eggs.
• Return the pot to the stove and add the rest of the eggs while stirring. If you don't stir you may curdle your eggs.
• Continue to whisk pretty constantly over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened. When you drag your whisk over the top of the mixture, it should leave marks.
• Pour the curd through a mesh strainer into a new bowl (or the same one, washed). Unless you are an expert curd maker, you will probably have a few solid egg pieces in there, which is totally okay! Just strain them out.
• Stir the chopped butter into the lemon curd until it's completely melted. This is a good time for a large spoonful of hot lemon curd.
• Press a square of plastic wrap directly on top of the lemon curd. If you just cover the bowl, you will get a film on your curd.
• Refrigerate until cold, about 2-4 hours. It will thicken up some as it cools.
• Transfer to a tupperware. Keeps for 1-2 weeks.

LEMON LOAF: THE BEST RECIPE EVER!!!

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175°C) .
• Grease and flour (or use non-stick spray) a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.
• Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Stir in lemon zest. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl of stand mixer beat butter on medium speed for 2-3 minutes.
• Gradually add the sugar and continue beating for another 2-3 minutes.
• Add eggs, one at a time. Make sure you scrape the bottom of your bowl.
• Add lemon juice (the batter will curdle).
• Alternate addition of flour and milk (in 2 additions). Mix on low speed until combined. Do not over mix.
• If using add-ins, combine gently at this point.
• Bake in preheated oven for 60-75 minutes until golden and cake tester comes out clean.
• Transfer pan to a rack where it can cool down for about 10 minutes before removing loaf to cool down completely on a wire rack.

LEMON BARS RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9 or an 8x8 pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
• Make the crust by creaming the butter with a hand or a stand mixer (fitted with the paddle attachment) until smooth. Add powdered sugar, flour, and salt and mix slowly until the mixture is crumbly but sticks together when you press it between your fingers. Press the crust into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for about 13 minutes, or until it just starts to get a light golden brown around the edges.
• While the crust is baking, whisk the eggs until beaten. Whisk in the sugar, lemon zest, salt, and lemon juice. Pour over hot crust, then continue to bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the mixture is no longer liquid in the center and it's lightly golden brown on top.
• Cool completely before removing from pan. Remove foil, then dust with powdered sugar. Slice and serve, dusting with more powdered sugar as desired.

THE BEST LEMON BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• In a mixer, add the butter and the lemon juice.
• Cream together on low speed until they are completely combined.
• Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time and continue to beat on medium speed until the frosting is creamy.
• Add the lemon zest and 1 small drop of yellow food coloring (if desired)
• Continue to mix.
• If the frosting is too runny, add 1/2 cup additional powdered sugar. Keep adding powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time until you have the frosting at the desired consistency.

THE BEST LEMON SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350º.
• Lightly grease an 9x9" square baking dish with butter.
• For the base, process the flour and confectioners sugar in a food processor for several seconds.
• Add the butter and process until the dough comes together, 20-30 seconds.
• Press the dough gently and evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan.
• Glaze it with the egg white: Pour the egg white on the dough and tip the pan from side to side so that the egg white spreads over the surface. Pour out the excess.
• Bake the base on the center oven rack until golden, about 20-25 minutes.
• Place the base in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to cool completely. Keep the oven on.
• Meanwhile prepare the topping: Gently whisk the eggs in a medium-size bowl until lightly mixed.
• Add the remaining topping ingredients and continue to whisk gently until they are blended.
• Pour the topping evenly over the base. .
• Bake until the top is set and golden, about 20-25 minutes. .
• Allow the lemon squares to cool completely.
• Sprinkle the surface with confectioners sugar and cut into squares with a sharp knife that is dipped in hot water and wiped dry before each cut.
• Tip: If you plan to keep the squares longer than a day, put them in an air-tight container and refrigerate. You can also freeze them.