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Monday, March 21, 2011

Meyer Lemon Pudding

This is my favorite time of year in Fairbanks. Most people don't associate the first day of spring with a long walk on a hard, snow packed mushing trail. That is how I spent my first day of spring. Since moving to Fairbanks I have created a few simple traditions that celebrate the seasons. Each year on the first day of spring I have walked down the road to a little area that gets the full effect of the sun and I search the trees to find the one or two pussy willows that tell me spring is indeed on its way. Each year the first day of spring has been the first time I have seen them for the season. I don't know if I never looked sooner, but this year they were a whole week early. I'm hoping this means that spring is indeed on its way and that David won't be snow blowing the driveway in April this year. That might be too much to ask for though.
This is our fourth spring in Fairbanks. Each one has been marked with some spectacular walks. The sun goes from non-existent to blistering hot in what feels like a couple of days. All of a sudden it's 8:00 p.m. and I haven't started dinner yet because it is still light out. I start realizing how important it is to get outside each night and look at the moon and stars and maybe if I'm lucky catch a glimpse of the northern lights. Very soon they will be gone for months. Very soon our beautiful hard packed trails will be spongy, swampy, mosquito infested tundra. March is the month to do it all.
This is also the time of year when the Meyer Lemon season starts wrapping up. I always try and order an extra box of lemons to juice, zest, and then freeze. It is so hard to freeze them as each box that comes in makes me want something fresh and lemony right away. Scones and Lemon Bars are always the first items on my list to make. Recently, I have been on a pudding kick. Am I the only person who likes to eat pudding warm from the pan? I also have a little problem with eating lemon curd with a spoon. If you are one of those people, then this is the perfect thing. This lemon pudding has all the flavor of lemon curd, but it's pudding, so no guilt eating it straight out of the jar.
Meyer Lemon Pudding
adapted from Tartelette
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons Meyer Lemon zest
3 egg yolks
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup Meyer Lemon juice

In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, lemon zest and egg yolks until light and fluffy. Slowly add the milk and whisk until incorporated.
Transfer the mixture to a heavy bottomed saucepan placed over medium-high heat, barely bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until thick, stirring constantly. Strain through a fine mesh strainer. Slowly add the lemon juice and whisk until combined. If adding lemon juice makes the pudding too thin, return to medium low heat for a couple of minutes to thicken to desired consistency. Remove from the heat and let cool. Divide among ramekins or cups and place a piece of plastic wrap over each portions to prevent a skin from forming (unless you are one of those weirdos that likes pudding skin). Let cool for two hours and serve.
You can find this super cute Pussy Willow Kitchen Towel from Madder Root on Etsy.

68 comments:

  1. I can't wait to try this recipe. I had to share this on my FB page, too. Definitely the use for the lemons from the Lemon Ladies...thanks for a great blog, and for sharing the love.

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  2. I would love to make the Meyer Lemon scones that I just saw on your blog. They look fantastic. By the way, can I just say how much I love your blog? I was searching through your index and there's just so much that I want to make. Thanks for the great baking inspiration.

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  3. I follow you on Facebook and am so glad I do.

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  4. I liked The Lemon Ladies on facebook. :)

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  5. My first post must have dropped. I drink fresh lemon juice in water first thing in the morning and lemon zest in my homemade biscotti. I also use both the zest and the fruit itself when making my hot sauces for sale (Glacial Heat) and my son likes to suck the insides of the lemons after I've juiced them -- which I don't quite get. :) That pudding recipe looks awfully tempting as well! If I were to win the giveaway, the lemons wouldn't make it past a couple days before disappearing! :)

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  6. This Fairbanksan already follows you on facebook. :)

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  7. ..just posted a link to this page on facebook as well!

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  8. Around here, we don't get good lemons. They're overly sour & quite bitter. When I buy one, it is usually to polish my copper cookware & freshen my garbage disposal! Oh how I would love to have some juicy, sweet, & flavorful lemons to make your lemon curd with. Bunky Cooks has had a ton of great Lemon Recipes on her blog, too. I actually LOVE lemons!

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  9. I love making and eating lemon bars, but I'm determined to master the art of lemon curd. It looks so delicious!

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  10. I don't cook with lemons often, but I do know I love a lemon scone! Would love to get a box and experiment!

    How do you freeze the lemons?

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  11. wow - I've never heard of the Lemon Ladies before, but I'll definitely be keeping up with them now!

    I JUST tried meyer lemons for the first time a few weeks ago after a friend sent me some (I can't get them here -ever!) and I'd love to make a pound cake with them.

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  12. i tried to like them on FB, but the link wouldn't pull up their page? and i couldn't find them when I did a search.

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  13. I love lemon pudding! Look absolutely delicious! gloria

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  14. Well, lemon scones and lemon cream sauce for fish! Also liked Lemon Ladies on FB.

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  15. How would I use the lemons? Really the question is how would I choose! That lemon pudding is a new one, I'd try that. And Lemon curd. And preserved lemons. And Lemon salt. And Lemon butter cream frosting on cupcakes with lemon zest! Oh, heck, what wouldn't I do with lemons?

    And yes, I do like Arctic Garden on facebook.

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  16. Hello! I heard about your blog from a friend and I absolutely LOVE it! I recently made a lemon chiffon cake with Meyer lemons that was delicious. I haven't tried any of your Meyer lemon recipes yet, but if I won the giveaway I think I'd make lemon bars. :) (oh and I liked Arctic Garden Studio on facebook for what it's worth)

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  17. If life gives me lemons, pass the tequila and salt, I say! Just kidding. I'd make lemonade, of course.

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  18. I have never had a Meyer lemon before. Never at all, and if I won I'd probably make this pudding. Mmm, pudding. But I guess my favorite thing to make with regular lemons is probably Orangette's French-style yogurt cake with lemon.

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  19. I liked the Lemon Ladies on Facebook!

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  20. And of course, I already liked Arctic Garden Studio on FB.

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  21. I love Karen's lemons! I am not yet lemoned out - I would have to try this pudding. And maybe some more meyer amaretto sours...

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  22. I also have liked Lemon Ladies and AGS!

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  23. i have never tried a myers lemon and would certainly love the opportunity to do so. if i had facebook account (or whatever the proper term would be) i would certianly "like" you and the lemon ladies in order to increase my chances to win - unfortunately i don't....

    jacquieastemborski AT comcast DOT net

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  24. Lemon curd! I made it for the first time last year and can't get enough! And yes, I do eat it with a spoon, who doesn't?

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  25. Hi! I am new to your blog and like it very much. I would either try your lemon pudding or make a lemon meringue pie.

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  26. This is my 1st year trying Meyer Lemons and I am in LOVE! I made lemon-cello,Lemon Curd and yes a spoon is needed to eat it right out of the jar, can we say YUMMMM, Lemon Sugar and salt, Candied lemon peels, and 3 different types of Meyer Lemon Marmalade. (our favorite so far is Meyer Lemon 'Pamalade' over on Shae's blog) I would love to try preserving some lemons and I NEED to have your pudding it sounds divine!

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  27. I would make Meyer Lemons, jam (for sure) any left over, curd then if there is one or two left cook with them....lemon chicken.

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  28. I've done the like on the Lemon Ladies.

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  29. I already had you as a like.

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  30. Nicole,
    The special way I would use the Lemon Ladies Meyer lemons is simple...
    A shot of tequila and then you can show me how
    you make your favorite lemon recipe! It would be fun with friends, laughing and cooking..does it get any better? I also Like Arctic Garden on Facebook as well as the Lemon Ladies! Cheers! J

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  31. I would, if lucky enough to win my favorite fruit, make Zitronencreme, a recipe from my mom's "Foods of the World - Germany" book. From the Time-Life series that she collected (book-of-the-month club -- anybody remember that?) in the 1970s. Like chocolate mousse but lemony instead. I'd serve them in my grandmother's silver champagne goblets. Tastes like spring!
    P.S., I liked you on Facebook (a few weeks ago, thanks to a friend's Facebook posting).

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  32. What a great story! I love marking the transition of the seasons. I don't need to be entered in the giveaway, since lemons are so abundant here. :)
    But I use them almost daily, and as far as recipes go, would cast my vote for either preserved lemons or Meyer lemon pancakes. Yum.

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  33. Pretty pictures, makes me think of Spring.

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  34. OMG, that lemon pudding looks amazing. I would like to make it and eat it all from the pan!

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  35. I liked you on FB! Why I hadn't already, I don't know!

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  36. And I liked the Lemon Ladies. That will come in handy for next year!

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  37. I posted this on my FB page: /whatjuliaate!

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  38. I would love some Meyer lemons since we can't get them around here. I would make the pudding, or curd or even Meyer lemon marmalade. Thanks

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  39. I would love those lemons... I liked the lemon ladies... and now what would I cook? Honestly I'm dying for another batch of meyer lemon curd before the season ends, this on to preserve for the rest of the year (the last one we ate up in 3 seconds flat, practically). You blog looks beautiful, by the way- I linked to you here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grow-It-Cook-It-Can-It/193375490675562

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  40. Hi Nicole! I did all of the above...liked and posted and all. I dont have a favorite use for meyer lemons....YET. But I hope to soon! :) Your blog rocks.

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  41. Wow... if I won these wonderful lemons I would bring out my Grandmothers recipe for Lemon Butter which I haven't made in years and make a big batch.. After which I would sit down after toasting some homemade bread spread thickly with the lemon butter and let my stress melt away remembering Grandma.

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  42. I still have not made lemon curd. I would absolutely make it with this giveaway!

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  43. I Love Lemons, everything about them. I have been wanting some Meyer Lemons lately. I have all kinds of Lemon Dreams in my head of things I love and want to make. Lemon Ice Cream, Lemon Pudding, Lemon Curd, Lemon Curd Tarts (because there is a difference between sitting on the porch enjoying curd and dining on a tart) Lemon Pies with fresh Whipped Cream on top. Lemon Sorbet. Ahhhhh the things I would want to make should I win the Meyer Lemon Gift Pack! :)

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  44. I also just now liked the Lemon Ladies on Facebook!

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  45. What a beautiful blog, I love your photos! I love Meyer lemons but they're hard to find in stores in the Northeast. I've been dreaming about making marmalade for weeks now but haven't done it. I'd either make Meyer lemon marmalade or some lemon curd!

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  46. I also just liked your blog on facebook! :)

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  47. My favorite way to use lemons is in a nice cold glass of ice water.

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  48. This recipe is what drew me here. If I won the Meyer lemons, I try them out in your recipe.
    Pamela

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  49. I would make lemon icebox pie.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  50. I LOVE Meyer Lemons! I would first try this recipe, then a lemon curd tart! I hope I win!

    Steflag@gmail.com

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  51. Retweeted your reminder - http://twitter.com/#!/ArcticGarden/status/52434100270809089

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  52. I would use the lemons in Blueberry Buckle. I love the fresh grated lemon peel in the recipe that adds so much ZEST! The juice makes the cake!
    I often add rhubarb from the garden and it is our favorite summer dessert! Heck, we even eat it for breakfast! It has eggs, flour, fruit...perfect!

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  53. I would use the lemons in Blueberry Buckle. I love the fresh grated lemon peel in the recipe that adds so much ZEST! The juice makes the cake!
    I often add rhubarb from the garden and it is our favorite summer dessert! Heck, we even eat it for breakfast! It has eggs, flour, fruit...perfect!

    woodak@mosquitonet.com

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  54. I have liked Lemon Ladies on Facebook.
    Risa Dorfman

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  55. I have liked Arctic Garden Studio on Facebook.
    Risa Dorfman

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  56. Oh gosh! There are so many wonderful things I would like to make. Some type of beautiful lemon bar would be great!

    enchanted_wart(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  57. I like you on facebook.

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  58. I would use those lemons in furthering my "research". I've been trying to perfect my lemon cookie recipe for a year, with an eye to winning the Pillsbury BakeOff with it in a year or so!!!

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  59. Along with most all other things lemon, I like the Lemon Ladies(on FB!)

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  60. And I like Arctic Garden Studio on FB as well!

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  61. Love to have some Meyer Lemons to work with again. Shae's marmalade recipe is flying off my pantry shelves. Rosemary Rideout
    rideout@garlic.com

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