2 lives for 10 lemons...limoncello time baby!

So what does one do with a single tree producing such copious amounts of lemons? You can only stuff so many up a chickens butt for tasty roast chicken. No, you need something that uses great quantities of lemons. Being a frugal (cheap if you will) person I hate to toss anything away. Lemon Zest has so many uses, but face it that only addresses part of the lemon.

The answer my friend lies in Limoncello that Italian liqueur, digestif and a host of other names you want to call it. Unbelievably easy to make, time consuming but not difficult at all. And is uses a bunch of lemons. To make it more fun have someone over and make it a party. I had my old college pal Ruth666 over so she could help me use up the bounty and just have some fun in general.

Limoncello

• Zest of 10 lemons
• 4 c vodka

Use a tightly sealing jar and add the zest and vodka too it. Put in a cool dark place for 4 days. I use the floor of a hall closet for this step.

• 3 1/2 c water
• 2 1/2 c sugar

On the 5th day combine water and sugar in large pan, over high heat bring to a boil stirring until sugar is dissolved. Cook 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Add the vodka to the simple syrup in a tightly sealed jar and refrigerate 1 day.

On the 6th day pour the limoncello through a cheese cloth line strainer or sieve. Gather the cheese cloth and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Toss out the zest solids and soiled cloth. Using fresh cheese cloth reline the strainer. Pour the limoncello through for the second time, discarding the cloth when done. It is very important to do the second straining through the cheese cloth if you are to have a clear limoncello at the end.

Zesting is about the longest and most time consuming part of the process.

End result is a bowl of nekkid lemons.

Zest and Vodka waiting for the final step.

Now what does one do with a dozen nekkid lemons? Can't toss 'em you make lemonade!

Simple Lemonade

• Juice of 10 lemons approx 2 cups
• 2 c sugar
• 6 c water

Add sugar and water to a large sauce pan. Stir until dissolved and bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute. Remove from heat and add lemon juice. Cover and cool to room temperature.

For a less acid lemonade add the juice when the syrup comes to a boil add the juice and bring back to a boil for one minute.

*variation, add 6-8 quarter sized coins of fresh sliced ginger for a Ginger Lemonade before bringing the syrup to a boil. Remove the coins after lemonade has cooled before serving.

Serve chilled over ice.

Puff Pastry enrobed Lemon Cheesecake

 

This is a spinoff the Cherry Cream Cheese Pie dessert I've written about here in the past.  Think a nice lemony cheesecake layer with a bit of tart curd swirled into it.  My wife declared it the best thing I've invented in a while. I have to agree.

I swear there are times I think I live in a grocery store horror movie.  Can you imagine a store not carrying lemon curd?  Easy fix either use Ina Garten's lemon curd recipe or your own, just have it at room temp when you are ready to pipe it onto the cheesecake filling.  If you are lazy, as I am at times, you can substitute lemon pie filling for the lemon curd.  Its just a bit sweeter than the lemon curds usually are.

Puff Pastry Enrobed Lemon Cheesecake

• 1 sheet frozen puff pasty (thawed)
• 1 8 oz package room temperature Cream Cheese
• zest of one lemon
• Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 c powdered sugar
• 1 egg (plus an extra for making an egg wash)
• 1 C lemon curd or lemon pie filling
• 2t turbinado sugar

Preheat oven to 425f.

In mixing bowl add cream cheese, zest, lemon juice, salt, powdered sugar and egg.  Beat until well incorporated and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).

On floured cutting board place the puff pastry sheet and carefully unfold.  Lightly roll out until it is about 12" square.  Carefully move to a pie plate and gently tuck into the dish.  There will be corner hanging out, that is expected and planned.

Pour in the prepared cheesecake filling.  Fill the lemon curd into a piping bag or plastic "baggie" and pipe the curd onto the cheesecake layer in parallel lines.  With tooth pick swirl the curd around the cheesecake layer.

                                                 

Fold the flaps of puff pastry gently over the cheesecake layers.  Do not submerge, let the pastry just float on the cheesecake layer.

Make an egg wash with an egg and a tablespoon of water.  Brush the egg wash over the exposed pastry.  Sprinkle with turbinado sugar.

Place pie plate on a baking sheet and place in the preheated oven.  Bake 25-30 minutes until puffed and golden brown.  Place on wire rack to cool.  Serve room temperature.

Butterscotch Blondie Pots

 

My family are vultures.  This warm treat was so popular that they disappeared before I could get a pic of  them garnished with Vanilla Bean ice cream.  Its so meltingly good!  Its butterscotch taken to a new level.

One of things I recently gave a try is vanilla bean paste.  Its been around a few years and is seen on a lot of baking shows.  It's a game changer.  Much more intense vanilla flavor than the traditional extract.

Butterscotch Blondie Pots

1 C all purpose flour

1/2 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

1/4 t salt

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 c melted and cooled butter

1 T vanilla bean paste (or extract)

2/3 c butterscotch chips

Preheat oven to 350f.  Take 6, 1 cup ramekins and spray with butter flavor nonstick spray.

Put flour, baking powder and baking soda in a sifter.  Sift into a bowl and set aside.

In stand mixer add brown sugar, salt and the cooled butter.  Beat on medium until light and fluffy.

Mix in vanilla bean paste until just incorporated.

With mixer on low gently fold in the flour a bit at a time until its all incorporated.  Fold in Butter scotch chips. 

Divide batter evenly into the ramekins.  Place on a baking sheet and bake 18-22 minutes until edges are starting to brown and the center is just set but still wiggly.  

When done place on a cooling rack and cool to room temp.  Garnish with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and enjoy!

NOTE left overs can be wrapped in plastic wrap until ready to use.  Simply remove the plastic wrap and zap in microwave oven 15-20 seconds to warm.  Serve as described above.