Lemon Curd

Adapted from a recipe I found online

Makes about 2 cups

Ingredients:
6 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4-5 lemons)
2 Tbsp grated lemon zest
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (1 stick butter), cut into 1/8-in slices

Preparation:

1. Add 1 or 2 inches of water to the bottom pot of a double boiler and bring to a simmer over low heat.

2. In the top pot of the double boiler (away from heat), whisk the egg yolks and sugar for about 2 minutes until smooth. Whisk in the lemon juice and zest until combined.

3. Place the top pot on the double boiler. Stir the mixture constantly with a rubber spatula, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl as you stir, until it begins to thicken and will coat the back of a spoon. This will take approximately 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat.

4. Whisk in the butter, one slice at a time. Wait until each piece almost disappears before adding the next. Spoon into clean glass containers and allow to cool with a piece of plastic wrap laid on the surface to prevent a skin from forming.

5. Refrigerate until needed. This lemon curd will keep for 2 to 3 weeks (or longer, if sealed in a jar).

Alternatively: can/jar and prepare for longer periods!

Fill boiling water canner with enough water to cover half-pint jars by 1 to 2 inches. Sterilize in boiling water for 10 minutes, then remove jars and lids. Let water cool; use a thermometer to ensure the water is 180°F by the time filled jars are ready to be added.

Caution: Do not heat the water in the canner to more than 180°F before jars are added. If the water in the canner is too hot when jars are added, the process time will not be long enough. The time it takes for the canner to reach boiling after the jars are added is expected to be 25 to 30 minutes for this product. Process time starts after the water in the canner comes to a full boil over the tops of the jars.

Fill hot strained curd into the clean, hot half-pint jars, leaving ½-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace if needed. Wipe rims of jars with a dampened, clean paper towel; apply two-piece metal canning lids.

Process in the prepared boiling water canner for 15 minutes (if you are at sea level or up to 1000 ft above sea level; see http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_02/lemon_curd.html). Remove from canner and let cool, undisturbed, for 12 to 24 hours then check for seals.

For best quality, store in a cool, dark place (away from light). Plan to use canned lemon curd within 3 to 4 months. Browning and/or separation may occur with longer storage; discard any time these changes are observed.