Lemons Lavender and Limoncello

Lemons are abundant now.  Juicy, tart and full of goodness only knows how many Vitamins (I know C) to ward off winter coughs and colds.  I’ll squeeze them, cut them, peel them, store them, preserve them and our house will be filled with that fresh, lemony sweetness.  No garden should be without a lemon tree, we've even got two hopeless cases that we mollicoddle all year round, we've yet to have a crop but we're looking forward to the day!

PRESERVED LEMONS IN SALT

Directions

In a bowl mix the spices into the sea salt. Cut a cross into the lemons -- almost to the base, but so that the quarters stay together. Push the seasoned salt into the lemon segments and pack the lemons as tightly as possible into an airtight jar. The less space there is between the lemons the more attractive it will look and you won't need to use so much salt. The lemons will be ready after one month of preserving, and will last for about 2 years.

Tips:    The peel is edible This also works very well with limes. You could preserve oranges like this too -- but there are not so many recipes which use them You must use sea salt not table salt -- table salt is too chemical and harsh

Uses:    For seasoning rice and couscous -- it works like salt and makes the rice and couscous lemon scented. Put chicken/fish into a foil bag and bake with the lemon salt. Use to season stews and soups

Recipe courtesy of Jamie Oliver

LEMON CORDIAL – Grandmama’s recipe

LIMONCELLO – Lolli’s recipe

METHOD:

1. Zest lemons and place in a large bottle or jar.   Cover with the Vodka, zest must float loosely and allow to infuse for 1 week at room temperature)
2. After one week combine sugar and water in medium saucepan.  Stir over a low heat until the sugar dissolves. 
3. Bring to the boil.  DO NOT STIR (may crystallise).  Boil for 15 minutes.  
4. Allow to cool. 
5. When at room temperature add the vodka mixture to the syrup.
6. Strain and pour into glass bottles, cork and seal each bottle.
7. Let the concoction age for about 2 weeks at room temperature
8. Store in a dark cupboard.
9. Place bottled liqueur in freezer and serve when icy cold.

LEMON AND POPPYSEED CAKE

LEMON SYRUP

CREAM CHEESE ICING:

1. Grease 24cm ring pan with butter or Cook and Spray
2. Beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy
3. Add the eggs one by one beating well after each addition
4. Fold in the lemon rind
5. Sieve the flour, baking powder and salt together twice.
6. In a small jug mix the lemon juice and water together
7. Fold the flour and lemon water into the egg mixture, do it in batches not all at once.
8. Lightly fold in the poppy seeds
9. Pour into the prepared ring pan and bake for 35-45 minutes until a needle can be inserted and removed without any cake mixture clinging
10. SYRUP:  stir all the syrup ingredients together until the sugar has dissolved, heat slowly to boiling point.  Pour gently over the hot cake. And allow cake to cool in the pan.

CREAM CHEESE ICING:

1. Cream the butter until creamy.
2. Gradually add the icing sugar a spoonful at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Fold the cream cheese into the butter mixture.
4. Using a palette knife spread the icing over the cooled cake.
5. Garnish with poppy seeds and a few lemon zest tendrils.

LEMON  AND LAVENDER ICE CREAM

Directions

1. In a saucepan, combine lemon zest, lavender, milk, and cream.
2. Bring to a boil. Steep for 20 minutes. Strain.
3. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together.
4. Whisk 1 cup of the hot cream into the egg mixture. Mix thoroughly.
5. In a steady stream, slowly add the egg mixture to the hot cream mixture.
6. Add a few lemon zest tendrils to the Creme Anglaise and the lavendar florets from two flowers for colour and taste.
7. Continue to cook for 4 minutes, over a low heat, stirring often.  
8. Do not allow the creme Anglaise to boil as it will curdle, the mixture must just coat the back of a wooden spoon.  
9. Remove from the heat and cool completely.
10. Place a sheet of baking paper over the top of the custard to stop a skin forming.  
11. Strain the mixture.
12. Add the mixture to the electric ice cream maker.
13. Process according to manufacturers' directions.

TO SERVE:

Serve Quenelles of Lemon and Lavender Ice cream, garnished with a slice of lemon and a lavender floret. 

This dessert will compliment any Citrus flavoured dessert.

Lemons from:

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