I’ve got a late addition to the happiness list:
Happiness is a care package from a friend who knows how much you miss fresh Meyer lemons and sends them to you—and she does so before she even knows you’ve been having a cranky week. This is the astonishingly wonderful box I found on my doorstep when I returned home the other day.
For the second year in a row, Mrs. B’s Christmas present made me cry. Then, when I got over my emotions, I was ecstatic to have not only sixteen bright and beautiful Meyer lemons, but a jar of Mrs. B’s own homemade lemon curd as well. It’s the best I’ve ever tasted.
I don’t know if it’s the lemon zest that she adds, the fact that the lemons are picked off her bountiful tree just minutes before, or if this particular recipe happens to be head and shoulders above any other lemon curd recipe, but this stuff is like summer sunshine in a jar. It’s the kind of thing you might get up for in the middle of the night and eat out of the jar with a spoon while standing in front of the fridge a la Nigella Lawson. Seriously, folks, it’s that good.
There was also pepper jelly and peppercorns, two kinds of flavored salts (rosemary and lemon) and a bar of herbed soap that smells like a dream. I had cancelled a trip to come visit and Mrs. B decided to send me all the holiday goodies she had made and set aside—and to use Meyer lemons as the padding in the box!
I’m one lucky girl, happy too. My kitchen is filled with the smell of Meyer lemons and it makes me want to dance a jig.
Now, what shall I make first?
Thank you, Mrs. B!
From the Bed and Breakfast Cookbook by Pamela Lanier, the original recipe comes from the Shelburne Inn in Seaview, Washington.
1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
7 Tbs lemon zest
1 lb. sugar
1 stick butter
8 eggs, lightly beaten
Combine lemon juice, zest, sugar, and butter in double boiler over simmering water until the sugar dissolves and the butter melts. Whisk the eggs into the lemon mixture and continue stirring until thick (about 20 minutes). Remove from heat, cool, and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
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Oh, yay for Meyers.
Yet another California taste I’m missing… *sigh* I imagine berry season this summer (Scottish raspberry/blackberry capital is an hour away) will make up for it, however. Mostly.
Wow, that looks amazing! You’re lucky to have such a friend as Mrs. B.
That is seriously a gift worth getting! I need to make some friends in warm states!
Yum, and you give all of us a gift, too, with your lovely post full of delicious pictures. Thank you for sharing the bounty
you’re so lucky! enjoy!
Mrs. B is a wonderful friend. And she knows just how much we need the brightness of lemon in the middle of winter.
Lemons for padding! Now that’s good. They look too perfect to be real. You really are one lucky girl.
What a fantastic gift! Enjoy…
When life or dear friends give me lemons, I like to make lemon shortbread.
T’was the scent of lemons that got me through a French exam many years ago…
I wish that your friend were also mine, sigh…
Happy New Year !!!
Uh, the first thing that pops in to my mind, is a leg of lamb roulade. And considering the temperatures outside, or the lack of said things, roasting in an oven is most acceptable!
Cheers
What a beautiful, wonderful and thoughtful gift, looking at it I’m quite jealous!
A ‘petit bonjour’ from the south of France.
What a lovely gift! I also missed Meyer lemons when I left California so planted my own little tree. The result: two, count ‘em, two lemons this year!
Mine went into lemon soufflé…and you? Do tell when you decide!
Just what we need on these winter days…a little Meyer lemon ‘pick-me-up’!
thank you for the kind words. You are most deserving of my Meyers, which are exceptionally late this year. You always treasure them, as I do, and I know they will not go to waste. I do wish I had enough to go around to all your blog buddies, because they are a wonderful gift to share. I’m in Kauai right now and you make me want my lemon curd with breakfast! I’ll have to make to do with passion-guava jelly or papaya yogurt!
That is so beautiful… nothing makes me happier than a big bowl of fresh lemons on the table.. in fact I think I have blogged about that many times !! LOL
I need a friend like that…
Beautiful lemons and a lovely post- thank you! We just made lemon cream pie with meyer lemons… it didn’t turn out exactly as we’d planned but it was still a delight to eat.
Sunny lemons do make everything seem brighter.
-Sea
http://www.bookofyum.com
As a Lemon lover from almost day 1, it seems criminal to never have tasted a Meyer Lemon…
I do know people with trees but…Hmmm
I must change this. These pictures are too tempting.
Oh how wonderful! I purchased some lemon curd a few months ago, but I have no idea what to do with it, so I haven’t opened it. I’ll be interested to see what you do with yours!
A care package that full of love would make it impossible to have a grumpy day, wouldn’t it?
Wow, that’s a good friend! Go Mrs. B!
Tea, I love your blog! Can I link to it from my page? My blog is very personal and only two people read it! It’s octaviel.blogspot.com
Thanks, Sue
Its great having friends like Mrs. B
I should start teaching my friends to do such things!
BTW – great blog. I really enjoy reading it!
yum…and don’t you just love such a practical, yet luxurious care package!
Yep, that is pure happiness!
It’s the Mrs. B’s of the world who make it a better place. Thanks for sharing the sunshine with us.
Beautiful Meyer Lemons & yummy jams alongside with tasty flavoured salts – that’s a nice care package!
I’m dealing with lots of citrus atm, thank you so much for Mrs. B link to ideas of what to do with tons of lemons!
Kailysn–don’t I know it!
TadMack–ah, would that I could somehow get us both fruitful Meyer trees that would withstand cold weather (sigh), but yes, we do get berries.
Jamalia–I know, aren’t I lucky?
Darx–wish I could share it in person; this is a poor second best:-)
Kat–I know…and I will!
Lydia–isn’t that right, I’m lucky to have her:-)
Tanna–yup, you said it:-)
Aforkfull–thanks!
Lisa–mmmm, hadn’t thought about that option. Good idea, thanks!
Mouse–I’ve personally wanted to clone Mrs B for years now. If I ever figure out how to do that, I’d gladly share:-)
Biggles–yeah, there’s ICE outside around here, it’s oven for sure. How’s your lemon tree doing? I remember huge Eurekas…
Bron–I know, I’d be quite jealous as well!:-)
La Fourchette–I haven’t quite decided yet, but I’ll definitely let you all know. How lovely that you planted your own tree. I wish the climate here could accomodate it (sigh).
Mrs. B–you are more than deserving of the kind words, you outdid yourself (and that’s saying a lot!). I hope you are enjoying your papaya yogurt and (hopefully) nice weather!
Lynda–we all need a Mrs. B, and a nice fragrant bowl of lemons to enjoy:-)
Sea–sunny lemons, indeed. Your pie sounds delish!
ParisB–go out and get thee some Meyer lemons! Raid the trees at nighttime, if necessary, you’ll be glad you did:-)
Sarah–well, I tend to eat an embarassing amount of it off a spoon! Traditionally it’s spread on toast or scones or that sort of thing. I also served it with the gingerbread pancakes I made this Christmas. That was a lovely combination as well. Enjoy!
Cookiebaker Lynn–yep, you’re right:-)
Ews–a good friend, indeed!
Sue–thanks for your kind words and welcome! Feel free to link, I’d be honored.
Maytal–thanks! Yes, such friends are a treasure.
Celeste–love is almost not a strong enough word for it:-)
Chou–you got it right!
Susan–ah, what a lovely way to put it. Perfect, really.
Suzana–I envy you your citrus bounty, you might find some more ideas here. Enjoy!
I was so happy to find Meyer lemons at the health food store the other day…finally!! I just made curd and beignets using them. What a great package, yes, Mrs. B rocks!!
your imagery is just beautiful!
Isn’t Mrs. B just wonderful? Gotta love her for her great foodie presents =)
Could I make this with regular lemons? Or would it turn out too sour…They dont seem to know Meyer lemons here in Holland, and I have no idea how they taste.
Annemarie–yes, you certainly can make the recipe with regular lemons. That's how it is traditionally made. The flavor is slightly different, but just as good.