Vianne’s Lemon Curd
Zest of 2 lemons
7 T. fresh lemon juice
1/4 pound butter
1 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
Assemble a double boiler with a medium pot filled to 1 inch from the top. Set aside two medium size stainless steel bowls. Bring the water to a steady simmer. Crack the four eggs into one bowl and set aside. Place remaining ingredients into the other bowl and place on the pot of simmering water. Heat the mixture, while stirring, until quite hot. Set the mixture aside and place the eggs on the double boiler. Whisk the eggs and temper with the hot mixture. Keep the mixture on the boiler and stir with a spoon or spatula until thickened. Strain if desired, keep refrigerated.
Chocolate Pots – de-crème
2 cups of heavy cream
5-8oz high quality chocolate
2 Tablespoons sugar
6 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla
Cook until blended and cream is scalded, but do not boil. Beat egg yolks in separate boil, temper (Temper= very slower adding hot liquid to the eggs) with ½ cup of hot mixture, then combine all – add vanilla. Return to double boil, cook until thick, strain, pour into pots (teacups are lovely), let cool, cover & refrigerate. Serve with clotted cream and a cookie!
Teapot Wafers
2 cups all purpose flour
1 stick butter
½ teaspoon salt
½ pound grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons half and half
a dash of cayenne pepper
Mix the flour and salt, then cut the butter into the mixture. Add grated cheese, then half and half to form a soft dough. Add cayenne pepper. Using a floured board, roll out and cut with a mini teapot cutter. Bake at 350 until lightly browned.
Yield approximately 3 dozen
Vianne’s House-Made Chocolate Truffles
3, 6oz packages semi-sweet chocolate chips
1, 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoons flavoring extract (such as vanilla, rum, orange, or almond)
Unsweetened cocoa
In a heavy saucepan over low heat, melt chips with condensed milk. Remove from heat. Stir in flavoring. Chill until dough is firm but not stiff. Shape into 1 inch balls. Roll in unsweetened cocoa.
Enjoy preparation with a pot of Vianne’s tea!