The lure of learning to make lemon butter was great. So I went back down to Ruby’s to have a go! Because of her eyesight she needs someone to help measure out the ingredients, but she is certainly comfortable around her kitchen.
Ruby’s lemon tree is a fabulous beast! It is NEVER without lemons!!
So you need three lemons.
First step is to put into a pot
4oz butter (125g)
1lb Sugar (500g)
1 breakfast cup of water. – (225ml or half pint according to google)
Heat ingredients
Then mix one egg with two tablespoons of plain flour (all purpose) and a smidge of water to make creamy paste.
Add the juice and zest from your three lemons into the egg/flour paste and mix well.
Add the hot mixture to the cold slowly & stirring. Then put all back into the pot over medium heat and stir constantly until mixture thickens and boils.
(BTW at this point you are meant to panic and throw in a bit of salt – because ‘I always throw in salt into whatever I cook!’ was the answer to my worried ‘But the recipe doesn’t say salt!!’)
Heat about 4 jars in the oven to sterilise while the lemon butter is cooking.
I had a nervous few moments as I was put onto stirring detail while Ruby clambered about on a step stool looking for extra glasses in case we didn’t have enough jars!!
Without any major mishaps, we made 3 & a half jars of lemon butter. What I scraped out of the pot to try was really good and I am very keen to go make myself a piece of toast in a minute to try it now that its cooled!
Just talk among yourselves for a minute ok?
*****
Oh yes – I like that very much!!
Cheers!!
Right, I’m on it, but will have a go with limes from my mum’s incredible lime tree. I’m thinking I’ll probably need 5 or 6 limes to equal your/Ruby’s 3 lemons. Will let you know how it goes.
I’ve just prepped my 5th (!!) batch of rhubarb for jam. Wish I could grow the stuff, but it doesn’t like it here on the Adelaide plains. No surprise, really – it grows wild in Alaska, which is about as far away from ADL climate-wise and geographically as one can get! I’ve tried 3 times and given up. Now I just spend a fortune buying it, but Him Outdoors loves rhubarb so …
I put some rhubarb in for the first time at the end of the season. I have avoided it up until now because I heard it was a thirsty plant and we had limited water. Now with the bore I have some more freedom in the garden – time will tell if I can grow it or not!
Very keen to hear how the lime goes in lieu of the lemons!!
PS Also meant to way how much I like the look of this recipe. I’ve been looking for ages for a lemon butter recipe that doesn’t use heaps of eggs, and this one is perfect!
Oh Sweet Loves climbing up on things, especially when we will gladly climb, jump, or scramble with the slightest indication… I sigh with you and climb with her. Cheers to you both!!
lol – At least she says she is being super careful!
Great post!
I will definitely try the lemon butter recipe.
Having been raised by my grandparents (who were born in the late 1890s) I can sympathize with the “being able and willing to help/do for” vs THEM already doing it before you realize they are! They just do not think of asking or expecting someone else to do for them. I am so glad you are privileged to know and love and share with Ruby; I know you know how special it is!
Yes – you are so right – they are up and doing before you notice!! I think the independence and activeness really keeps her going the way she has been. Never been one to sit back and wait for someone else to do things! It is wonderful to be part of her and her family’s life! (ps there is a small “committee meeting” this afternoon at Ruby’s so a few of us can make steps on organising her b’day gathering!) 🙂
Just thought I’d report back on using limes in Ruby’s recipe – perfect! I’m a keen amateur baker and tend to weigh or measure everything … so I used 1/2 cup of lime juice and 2 tablespoons of zest, got 900ml of gorgeous lime butter and it’s going down a treat on some sourdough bread!
Enjoy what’s left of your weekend.
J xx
Oh wow – that’s sounds soooo good!! I love it how people are not afraid to change a recipe around and give it a go! using what you have already got is so sensible – and it really paid off. Lime Butter!! Sounds so exotic! I might have to put in a lime tree!!! Thanks heaps for letting me know how it went.