Thursday, March 12, 2009

Strawberry Curd...part one


Lemon curd is pretty high on my list of favorite things. So a while back when I came across a recipe for strawberry curd, I definitely wanted to give it a try. A curd is usually made of citrus combined with sugar, butter and eggs. It's thick and has sort of a pudding like texture. They can also be made from fruit combined with citrus and eggs. Since strawberry season is in full swing at my parents farm, I'm always on the lookout for new ways to use them. Of course when I went to make the strawberry curd, I couldn't find the recipe I'd seen originally. It's out there somewhere on the world wide web!! I adapted this recipe from one for I'd found for a raspberry curd. I had some leftover cake I want to use up so I decided to put it between the layers of cake. The cake I used was just a basic vanilla cake. I liked it with the curd, but I think a lemon cake would have been even better. If you'd rather not go to the trouble of making a cake, you could just serve it as is with a dollop of whipped cream on top.
Although I really like this curd, I think that I'm going to try making one that doesn't have whipped cream and is more like traditional lemon curd. So stay tuned for strawberry curd part two!

Picnik collage


1 pint of fresh strawberries
3/4 cup of sugar
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
1/8 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp. Gran Marnier

Puree strawberries in food processor, Stir strawberries together with sugar, eggs, lemon juice, butter, and salt in medium saucepan over medium heat until thickened and beginning to bubble at edges, about 5 minutes. Strain strawberry curd into medium bowl, pressing on solids in strainer. Refrigerate until very cold, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.

Whip cream and 1/4 cup powdered sugar and Gran Marier until peaks form. Fold whipped cream into strawberry curd. Refrigerate until slightly set up about one hour.

14 comments:

Elyse said...

I'm so glad you posted this. I mad a strawberry curd a while bake, and it turned out horribly. I've been looking for a good recipe ever since!! Your curd looks fabulous. Can't wait to try the recipe out.

apparentlyjessy said...

mmm looks yummy! I hate when you find something on the internet...and then can never find it again! Very frustrating isn't it!?

Foodiewife said...

I make a fool proof lemon curd-- but this is a great recipe. I live in "Driscoll Strawberry Land", where I can buy beautiful berries for a great price. I can't wait to try this!
Thanks,

Debby

J.L. Danger said...

I am so glad that you made this too! Because for some reason I always had it in my head that making curd is hard! It is so not! I have strawberries right now. I am so all over this!

Thank you!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

This adds a touch of Spring colour to the cake as well:D

grace said...

for some reason, strawberry curd sounds a hundred times more appealing to me than lemon curd. perhaps it's the pink hue. regardless, it looks and sounds fantastic!

♥Rosie♥ said...

I feel so lucky here reading about your strawberry curd! I love curds but strawberry curd now this really is absolutely marvellous!!

Eliana said...

This strawberry curd looks divine. Can't wait to try it as we enter berry season.

Cynthia said...

I've never made or had curd.

Sandie said...

I love lemon curd as well, and your strawberry curd sounds so appealing---I can't remember ever having it before. Definitely looking forward to part 2 of this series.

Anonymous said...

Ah, spring is upon us. I just adore lemon curd, so I cannot wait to try this recipe out. The pink is just too pretty!

Anonymous said...

So far I've only made a lemon curd, it's never oc-curd ;) to me to make a strawberry curd!

Coco Cake Land said...

yum! strawberry lemon curd! it looks so good nestled in that little cake. i made my first lemon curd a little while back. holy smokes, so yummy. and not even hard to do which was exciting!!

--thanks for sharing the recipe!

Milly&the Squirrel said...

Hiya!
This was super easy & super delicious! Thank you. Have you tried Peach Curd? 1 Cup Pureed Peaches, 4 egg yolks, 2/3 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon rosewater and 6 tablespoons butter. Beat yolks, mix in sugar, puree, lemon juice & rose water. Simmer in pot over heat (stir constantly) until thick and smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in butter & bottle. Its YUMMY-LIOCIOUS!