Love in a Jar

Love in a Jar
19 May 2015

My best friend has a lemon tree. I don’t. She is 5 foot flat. I’m not. My tiny best friend has limited access to the full stash of lemons from her heaving tree, so I help myself to the bounty just out her reach.

Her lemons have been sitting waiting patiently for me to get my act together and make lemon curd. Yesterday I did that.

As I washing the old jars from the cupboard, I noticed all the remnants of old labels that remained. I thought about the act of giving, receiving and then giving again. The cycle is beautiful. What jams or preserves have been in all these jars before? Who has enjoyed them on their golden toast in the morning? What friendships have these jars been part of? I started to get a little emotional about the whole thing. Of course. As I do.

These jars of lemon curd, made from my best buddies lemon tree, will be heading out in to the world for new adventures! Hopefully they’ll make their way back in to my cupboard again one day.

Jade’s Lemon Tree Lemon Curd

What You Need

As you are aware I am a big believer of while you’re in the kitchen, make the most of your time and make HEAPS! I have halved what I used, as I went a little crazy. But this will give you enough to give to friends and keep yourself happy too.

• zest and juice of 8 lemons, from a tree you love (or organic if you can’t find a trustworthy tree)
• 400g caster sugar
• 200g of unsalted butter, cubed
• 6 happy eggs, plus 2 extra yolks for good luck, lightly whisked

What You Need to Do

1. Grab yourself a saucepan, big enough to put a mixing bowl over the top, and get some water to the boil, then turn down to simmer.
2. Pop the lemon juice, zest, butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and place on the saucepan. Make sure the saucepan doesn’t touch the water. That’s important.
3. Give it a stir every now and then until the butter has melted.
4. Stir in the eggs and cook for 15 minutes, giving it a little stir every few minutes.
5. Take the bowl off the heat and let cool down. It will thicken up more as it cools down. Give it a whisk once in a while.
6. Ladle your delicious curd in to your sterilised jars of love.
7. Place cute labels on them for the people you think are great.
8. Give them to the people you think are great, watch their face light up with love, joy and pure appreciation for the effort in the offering you’ve made.