Candied Meyer Lemon Peel Recipes

CANDIED LEMON PEEL

Steps:

• Cut lemons into slices about 1/4 inch thick and remove the fruit pulp. Cut the rings in half so the peels are in long strips.
• Bring water and lemon peel to a boil in a small pan. Drain water, and repeat with fresh cold water. Repeat the boiling step three times (see Editor's Note). Drain and set peels aside.
• Combine 2 cups fresh water with 2 cups sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce heat to low and stir in citrus peels; simmer until the white pith is translucent. Store peels in syrup, refrigerated, to keep them soft, or allow them to dry. Toss dry candied peels in additional sugar and store airtight at room temperature.

CANDIED MEYER LEMON PEEL

Steps:

• Halve lemons crosswise and juice, if desired, reserving juice for another use. Cut each half into 4 equal pieces. Using a small sharp knife, remove the flesh from skin; if flesh has not been juiced, reserve for another use. Cut skin (pith and peel) into 1/2-inch pieces; set aside.
• Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil over high heat; reduce to a simmer and add lemon skin; let cook until skin offers no resistance when chewed, about 45 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Fill a large saucepan with 3 1/4 cups water. Add sugar and cream of tartar. Place over medium high heat and cook until sugar has dissolved. Add lemon skin to saucepan and bring to a simmer; let cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 230 degrees on a candy thermometer, 50 to 55 minutes.
• Drain lemon skin and place on a wire rack set over a parchment paper-lined rimmed baking sheet; let dry until less sticky, about 2 days. Gently toss in sugar to coat. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place; do not refrigerate.

MEYER LEMON CURD TART WITH CANDIED LEMON PEELS

Steps:

• For the candied lemon peels: Set a wire rack into a rimmed baking sheet. Use a vegetable peeler to peel 1/2-inch strips from 3 of the lemons; reserve. Juice all 5 lemons (you should have about 1/2 cup); cover and refrigerate the juice. Put the reserved strips of peel into a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring the water to a boil, and cook for 10 minutes. Drain the peels and repeat the process 2 more times. Pat the peels completely dry.
• Add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup water to a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the peels and cook until they start to turn translucent, 6 to 7 minutes. Use tongs to remove them from the saucepan and lie them flat on the prepared rack. Let dry at room temperature, 6 hours and up to overnight. Toss the peels with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar in a small bowl.
• For the shortbread crust: Position an oven rack in the bottom third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch tart pan with cooking spray.
• Add the flour, butter and confectioners' sugar to a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized pieces. Add the egg and pulse until the dough comes together. Press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared tart pan. Prick the dough all over with a fork. Bake until the crust is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool slightly on a rack, about 30 minutes.
• For the lemon curd: Meanwhile, whisk the reserved lemon juice, eggs, yolks, milk and remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat until well combined. Add the butter and stir continuously until the mixture is thick and coats the back of a spoon, 10 to 12 minutes. Strain the curd if any lumps form, then pour into the crust and smooth with a spatula.
• Bake until the curd is set, 15 to 17 minutes. Let cool slightly on a rack, about 30 minutes, then transfer to the fridge to cool completely, about 1 hour more. Decorate with the candied peels and serve cold.

CANDIED MEYER LEMONS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves.
• Add lemon slices, cover surface with parchment paper, reduce heat, and simmer until rinds are translucent, about 30 minutes.
• Let cool in syrup.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove slices to a wire rack positioned over a rimmed baking sheet.
• Let syrup drip off.