Mellow Yellow...
I love lemons. I always have. When I was a kid growing up here in Southern California, I used to walk to the end of our street, Friends Avenue, and pick lemons from the neighbors tree. I'd cut one open, sprinkle it with salt and have a go at it. We used to eat avocado's from our tree like that, too. Just a sprinkle of salt was all they needed. Our local market here has the dreamiest lemon sorbet with little crunchy bits in it. It's such a refreshing, tart, deliciously springy fruit. 
I picked some lemons from a local tree about a month ago but they went bad before I was able to do anything with them. So, today I decided to give it another go. I picked up a handful of lemons at Trader Joe's (along with a few bunches of daffodils) and decided to make some Lemon Curd. It turned out delicious. I found a simple recipe on allrecipes.com. Lemon curd is perfect on scones or toast or in a trifle. I'm even debating on making some homemade angel food cake. It'd be delish on that, too. It's super simple and easy to make. Here you go:
Lemon Curd
3/4 C freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 Tbsp grated lemon zest
3/4 C sugar
3 eggs
1/2 C unsalted butter
Directions:
In a saucepan, combine all ingredients and cook over medium-low heat*. Cook 6-10 minutes, and occasionally whisk until thick enough to hold marks from the whisk (about the consistency of pudding.) Store in the refrigerator.
*If the heat is turned up too high, the eggs will curdle.
It really makes a huge difference when you make this with fresh lemons, so use them if you can. We bottled ours in an old pesto jar and threw some fabric and ribbon on with a tag we printed out. Don't you think they'd make a great hostess gift for Easter?
Thanks so much for all the applique orders. I've just about got them all packed and ready to go. I didn't pre-cut any of them, because well, I just didn't know if they would do well or not and then I didn't want to have a gazillion applique's lying around. So, thank you. If you ordered some, you'll have them in a few days.
Happy Weekend!
xoxo
Dude, I made 2 batches of curd yesterday and can I just say? A W E S O M E!!! I made pretty little jars with gingham pinking sheared circles as toppers with pretty yellow organza ribbon and hand stamped labels. Tee hee. I was giddy all day. Hubby took the jars to all his coworkers along with little cello bags tied with the ribbon of fresh baked buttermilk biscuits. Tee hee.
So fun!
Welcome SPRING!
Posted by: knittingnurse | March 20, 2008 at 06:22 PM
jealous on so many levels. for one - the avocados from So Cal. and two - for trader joes. neither of which i can get in stinky ole syracuse. oh how i miss so cal in the springtime... and trader joes.... the closest i get is - my sitter knows a guy... who works for enriques, apparently trader joe's second cousin.. and i get some knock off trader joes salsas and spaghetti sauce for free... in bulk. one can only have so much salsa and sauce. i miss my TJ couscous and cheap cheap wines!
Posted by: Shelley | March 19, 2008 at 09:39 PM
I made it, I made it. I'm so excited and it is sooooo delicious. I just want to grab a spoon and dive right on into the jar.
http://thestaabfamily.blogspot.com/2008/03/lemon-curd-heaven.html
Posted by: Tonya | March 19, 2008 at 06:06 PM
hehe! so cute! friends ave? sounds like a great place to grow up
Posted by: connie | March 19, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Love your site! Totally going to buy that crumb pan~thx for the tip! ;) xo-Lolly Jane
Posted by: Lolly Jane Boutique | March 18, 2008 at 10:19 PM
I'm a serial lurker on your fabulous blog, you are so incredibly talented. You take the most beautiful photographs and are so creative ... anything you can't do?
Anyway I had to respond to this post because I love lemon curd and normally have to order it on-line. I had no idea how easy it was to make. Thanks so much for posting the recipe, I'll be giving that a go. I love it on cookies or making little tarts with it. Yummy.
Posted by: Tonya | March 18, 2008 at 08:50 AM
i swear you and i are on the same brain wave. i just blogged about lemons....and your last blog about appliques was a project that i had been brainstorming about. weird!
Posted by: Steph | March 17, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Oooh, I am SO going to make lemon curd for gifts! Thanks for the recipe and the idea! It'll be the PERFECT "Welcome Spring" gift!
quick question though: how much curd does that recipe make? Is it a recipe that is ok to double or do individual batches need to be made?
Thanks again for sharing. I am a lurker mostly but I do read you regularly. Love the pix of Henry and I can't wait to see the little girl! Tee hee!
Posted by: knittingnurse | March 17, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Ooooo-la-la! Love lemon curd. It always reminds me of my sweet Grandmother, whom I miss DEARLY-- she made the most wonderful layered white cake with lemon curd filling, and fluffy white frosting and coconut. mmmmmmmmmmm....
Posted by: Kim (OliveJuice) | March 17, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Hi Morgan, I am a friend of Matt's from work and I think I met you several years ago when you were living in Boston. You came into town and we all went to Souper Salad. I love your blog, I think that you are so talented and I'll admit that I check it out often. Matt always sends me the darling pictures of Henry. Congrats on your pregnancy.
Shannan
Posted by: Shannan Hoffman | March 16, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Try folding it with whipped cream. It makes a great lemon mousse. Beautiful photos.
Posted by: Somer | March 15, 2008 at 10:34 PM
I've never eaten lemon curd, and had no idea it was so simple to make. Thanks for sharing the recipe! :-)
Posted by: Renna | March 15, 2008 at 09:40 PM
That sounds so yummy. Love the cheery yellow post with all the beautiful colors.
Posted by: Carla | March 15, 2008 at 04:36 PM
oops- sorry for the multiple comments. I didn't realize your most recent comment goes to the top. I thought I had lost it... so sorry.
Posted by: carol | March 15, 2008 at 03:35 PM
did you grow up in Whittier? If so, my husband grew up on Painter! And we lived on Beverly when were first married! What a small world...that is if you DID live in Whittier! Still small I suppose!
Posted by: carol | March 15, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Wait a second! Did you live in Whittier? If so, I did too...my husband grew up on Painter and we actually rented a bungalow on Beverly when we were first married...:)
Posted by: carol | March 15, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Mama Urchin- I overheard someone lately saying that lemon curd was also delicious on zucchini bread! We'll have to give that a try!
Michal- I'd LOVE the recipe! Send it over : )
Posted by: Morgan | March 15, 2008 at 01:59 PM
i love to make lemon curd. i just watched ina garten's recipe on a barefoot contessa i tivo'd and was thinking about trying it out. she puts in a TON of lemon zest and puts them in the food processor with the sugar before she makes the curd.
i make a cheesecake for weddings and other events that has a bit of lemon zest in the batter, some raspberries mixed in, and then i top it with lemon curd. it is soooo good. i'll send you the recipe if you want it.
Posted by: michal | March 15, 2008 at 11:22 AM
aahh, I crave lemons like crazy! I don't eat them but I'm drooling looking at the picture!
Posted by: Casey | March 15, 2008 at 09:53 AM
what a great idea...thank you for the recipe! Who knew it was that easy?
Posted by: libby | March 15, 2008 at 07:24 AM
I love lemon curd. I's great with pound cake too but I especially love it with gingerbread.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | March 15, 2008 at 05:34 AM
gosh you take wonderful pictures!
Posted by: corri | March 14, 2008 at 09:37 PM