lemons Archives - East of Eden Cooking

2019/06/112019/06/12

Irresistible Lemon Bundt Cake

The Irresistible Lemon Bundt Cake would be the perfect foundation for a pile of sweet, juicy summer fruit and berries. The Irresistible Lemon Bundt Cake is soaked in a easy, no cook syrup, delivering all the lemon flavor any lemon lover could crave.

“ There’s a capacity for appetite, Samuel said, that a whole heaven and earth of cake can’t satisfy.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

As soon as the recipe for Irresistible Lemon Bundt Cake landed in my in-box it had to be baked. Some people search for the best chocolate chip cookie recipe, (a noble goal) others the best lemon cake. Count me in the lemon cake group. Not sure if this is the best Lemon Cake, that would mean my search was over! But it certainly is an Irresistible Lemon Bundt Cake. Soaking the Irresistible Lemon Bundt Cake in a simple, no cook syrup, after baking delivers all the lemon flavor any lemon lover could crave. Even my resident chocolate lover raved about the Irresistible Lemon Bundt Cake. Or perhaps Dorie Greenspan’s recommendation of this Maida Heatter recipe will convince you to go forth and bake. READ MORE . . .

2019/01/30

Lemon Lime Marmalade

Lemon Lime Marmalade is bright and tangy with in season citrus. A spark of lime flavor adds depth and mystery to the mostly lemon marmalade.

“It was a deluge of a winter in the Salinas Valley, wet and wonderful. The rains fell gently and soaked in and did not freshet. The feed was deep in January, and in February the hills were fat with grass and the coats of the cattle looked tight and sleek.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Marmalade inspiration is everywhere during winter citrus season. An almost endless variety of citrus opens the door to unique flavor combinations. This is why I make my own. Excellent orange marmalade is always available at the store. Lemon Lime Marmalade? Time to make my own batch. Last year’s lemon marmalade was lovely, I want outstanding. A spark of lime flavor adds depth and mystery to the mostly lemon marmalade. The Mr. has set aside his favorite blueberry jam and is having sweet and tangy Lemon Lime Marmalade on his morning toast. This is a complete surprise. Is it possible to convert someone to #CitrusLove? READ MORE . . .

2018/02/18

Lemon Marmalade

Every shiny scoop of Lemon Marmalade is the collision of sweet and tart. An explosion of lemon flavor captures the season of citrus in every jar of Lemon Marmalade.

“Liza was a good plain cook, and her house—it was always her house—was brushed and pummeled and washed.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

When it comes to cooking and baking my rebellious streak is tempered by “Is this something we will eat? With enthusiasm? Is this good use of resources, my time and food?” Bonus, if I can be creative and find joy in the making. Lemon Marmalade checks all the boxes. The collision of sweet and tart is in every shiny scoop. Using up an array of lemons, big and small, thick and thin skinned, Lisbon and a few Meyer, is what makes Lemon Marmalade so appealing. Canning with what’s in season always brings the best flavor and least cost. The joy of filling the pantry with homemade is not to be underestimated. READ MORE . . .

2017/07/172018/01/25

Lemon Lavender Pound Cake

Baking with Lavender

“Samual went on, After we’ve visited Olive for maybe a month or two, there will come a letter from George. And his feelings will be hurt if we don’t visit him in Paso Robles. And after that Mollie will want us in San Francisco, and then Will, and maybe even Joe in the East, if we should live so long. ”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

The Lemon Lavender Pound Cake is laced with floral notes from the dried, culinary lavender. There is just a hint of lavender which is nicely balanced with lemon and vanilla. It’s a wonderful snacking cake, every bite brings summer thoughts of lavender fields in full bloom. Making lemon-lavender sugar is how the recipe for Lemon Lavender Pound Cake from Bon Appetit begins. As the food processor whirls and chops a sensory experience unfolds. The explosion of aromas is divine. The combination of lemon, lavender, vanilla and sugar bring thoughts of boutique candles and fancy bath scrubs. My kitchen smelled like an upscale vacation spa. I couldn’t wait to bake with the sugar. READ MORE . . .

2017/02/272018/03/23

Citrus Salt

Food in Jars Mastery Challenge

“And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry years. It was always that way. And that was the long Salinas Valley. “

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

After all the dark and stormy weather plus two power outages in one week this is just the project I needed. Easy and rewarding, the bright color and intensity of pure citrus chased all my gray thoughts away. Salt preserving is the second Food in Jars Mastery Challenge. Making citrus salt was nothing like making marmalade, the first Mastery Challenge. There wasn’t anything sweet to temper the boldness. It was intense in its presentation. I zested the fruit into separate piles, Lisbon lemon, Persian lime and Meyer lemon. Rubbing the zest into the salt was a sensory pleasure. As even more citrus oil perfumed my fingertips my mind wandered. I wanted to be more like my lemons and limes, bold and bright in winter, but not crisp and brittle. To bring joy and only overwhelm with goodness. To know that adding a little sweetness doesn’t diminish a personality, it just softens the intensity. READ MORE . . .