Chef Johns Lemon Ice Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S LEMON BARS

Steps:

• Place an oven rack into middle position in oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly oil an 8x8-inch baking dish.
• Place 1 cup flour and butter in a mixing bowl and mash with the back of a spatula or wooden spoon until thoroughly combined. Mix in 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract, and salt; mash mixture together until mixture looks like a slightly crumbly cookie dough.
• Moisten your fingers with a little water and press dough into bottom of prepared baking dish. Use a fork to prick holes all over the crust.
• Bake crust on center rack in the preheated oven until crust edges are barely golden brown, 22 minutes.
• Beat eggs and egg yolks together in a bowl; whisk in white sugar and 2 tablespoons flour until smooth. Add lemon juice and lemon zest; whisk for 2 minutes. Pour lemon custard over crust.
• Bake on center rack until custard is set and top has a thin white sugary crust, 25 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into bars. Dip knife into very hot water, run around the edge, and cut into 16 squares. Dust cookies with 1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar.

ITALIAN LEMON ICE

Steps:

• Whisk water, sugar, and lemon zest together in a medium saucepan, then bring to a boil over high heat. Continue to whisk and boil for 5 minutes. Let mixture cool for 10 minutes. Whisk in lemon juice.
• Transfer mixture to an 8x8-inch pan and freeze for 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove pan from the freezer and stir with a fork to break up the ice. Freeze again for 3 hours. Scrape and mix ice into shavings with a fork.
• Serve in chilled glasses garnished with mint and lemon wedges. Top with raspberry-flavored liqueur as a little something extra for adults.

CHEF JOHN'S LIGHTER LEMON CURD

Steps:

• Place a saucepan containing several inches of water over medium heat and bring water to a simmer.
• Place eggs into a metal mixing bowl and add sugar and lemon juice. Place bowl over pan containing simmering water and whisk continuously until mixture foams and becomes thick, hot, and smooth, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Remove from the heat; whisk in lemon zest and unsalted butter. Continue whisking constantly until butter melts and incorporates into the lemon curd. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, pushing the plastic wrap onto the surface of the lemon curd. Refrigerate until chilled and lemon curd has set up, at least 1 hour. Stir before serving.

LEMON ICE I

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together lemon juice and zest with sugar until smooth. Slowly stir in milk. Pour into a 9x9 inch dish and place in freezer, stirring once when it begins to harden; freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.
• You may also use an ice cream maker. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. When sherbet is soft-serve consistency, serve immediately, or transfer to a container and freeze until firm.

CHEF JOHN'S BAKED LEMON PEPPER SALMON

Steps:

• Whisk together lemon juice and black pepper in small bowl. Add mayonnaise, miso paste, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper to lemon-pepper mixture; whisk together.
• Spread the lemon-pepper mixture over salmon fillets. Reserve about a tablespoon for later use.
• Cover salmon with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
• Place fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Spread remaining lemon-pepper mixture on fillets without letting it pool around base. Sprinkle with a pinch more black pepper and a generous amount of sea salt.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the fish flakes easily with a fork, 10 to 15 minutes.