Mary Berrys Lemon Curd Food

HOMEMADE LEMON CURD

Steps:

• Break the eggs into a saucepan and whisk to combine. Stir in the remaining ingredients and place over a medium heat.
• Whisk continuously over the heat until the mixture coats the back of a spoon and is slightly thickened - this could take 7-10 minutes. Do not allow the mixture to boil or it may split.
• Remove from the heat and leave to cool. Spoon into a sterilised jar (or two small jars) seal, and leave to thicken.
• Keep in the fridge for up to a month, but use within a week of opening the jar.

LEMON MERINGUE ROULADE WITH PISTACHIO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Line a 23x33cm/9x13in Swiss roll tin with greased non-stick baking paper.
• Whisk the egg whites in a clean large bowl using an electric mixer on full speed until very stiff. Gradually add the sugar, a teaspoon at a time, and still on high speed, whisking well between each addition. Whisk until very, very stiff and glossy and all the sugar has been added.
• Spread the meringue mixture into the prepared tin, sprinkle with the chopped nuts. Bake for about 8 minutes until very golden-brown. Lower the oven to 160C/140C Fan/Gas 3 and bake for 15 minutes more until firm to the touch. Remove and turn upside down on a piece of non-stick baking paper. Carefully peel the paper from the base of the meringue and leave it to cool for about 10 minutes.
• To make the lemon curd, put the butter into a heatproof bowl, add the sugar and whisk by hand until combined. Stir in the egg yolks. Add the lemon zest and juice and whisk until smooth. Sit the bowl over a pan of just simmering water and whisk until the mixture has thickened. This will take about 8-10 minutes. Be careful the water does not boil as this will curdle the curd.
• Reserve 100g/3½oz (about 6 tablespoons) of the lemon curd and set aside. Spoon the remaining lemon curd into a sterilised jar. Seal and label it. It will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks.
• To fill the roulade, mix the reserved lemon curd with the whipped cream, swirling to give a marbled effect. Spread over the cooled meringue. Lightly score the meringue along one long side, slightly in from edge. Use this to help you fold and start to roll the base. Roll up the meringue tightly, using the paper to help you. Sit it on a plate with the join underneath.
• To serve, dust with icing sugar and decorate with Easter chicks.

LEMON CURD WITH BERRIES

Steps:

• Bring lemon zest, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup sugar to a bare simmer in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat, whisking to dissolve sugar, then remove from heat.
• Whisk eggs, salt, and 1/2 cup sugar in a large bowl until light and thick, about 1 minute. Whisking constantly, gradually pour about one-quarter of hot lemon mixture into egg mixture, then, whisking constantly, incorporate egg mixture into remaining lemon mixture in saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until lemon curd is opaque and thick enough to hold the marks of the whisk, about 2 minutes.
• Scrape lemon curd into a blender. With motor on medium speed, add butter a piece at a time, waiting until each piece is fully incorporated before adding the next, until the butter is emulsified and curd is light and thick.
• Transfer lemon curd to a large nonreactive bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly against surface so a skin doesn't form. Chill until cold, at least 2 hours.
• Toss berries and remaining 1-2 Tbsp. sugar in another large bowl. Let sit until some juices have accumulated, 25-30 minutes. Spoon curd into bowls and top with berries and their juices.
• Do Ahead
• Lemon curd can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.