lime Archives - East of Eden Cooking

2019/01/30

Lemon Lime Marmalade

Lemon Lime Marmalade is bright and tangy with in season citrus. A spark of lime flavor adds depth and mystery to the mostly lemon marmalade.

“It was a deluge of a winter in the Salinas Valley, wet and wonderful. The rains fell gently and soaked in and did not freshet. The feed was deep in January, and in February the hills were fat with grass and the coats of the cattle looked tight and sleek.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Marmalade inspiration is everywhere during winter citrus season. An almost endless variety of citrus opens the door to unique flavor combinations. This is why I make my own. Excellent orange marmalade is always available at the store. Lemon Lime Marmalade? Time to make my own batch. Last year’s lemon marmalade was lovely, I want outstanding. A spark of lime flavor adds depth and mystery to the mostly lemon marmalade. The Mr. has set aside his favorite blueberry jam and is having sweet and tangy Lemon Lime Marmalade on his morning toast. This is a complete surprise. Is it possible to convert someone to #CitrusLove? READ MORE . . .

2017/03/092018/02/09

Lime Snowball Cookies

Sweet Limes

“ At noon on March 15 Tom sat on the bench outside the forge. The sunny morning was over, and gray water bearing clouds sailed over the mountains from the ocean, and their shadows slid under them on the bright earth.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

It took me almost three weeks to score these organic, tree-ripened Bearss limes. So yes, I do have more #CitrusLove to share. If you prefer lemons over limes, I know why. The dark green limes at the grocery store are so sour they often are bitter. These limes are picked before they mature. If limes are left on the tree to ripen, they are less bitter, similar to a tangy lemon. Ripe limes often are yellow too. A tree ripened Bearss lime is sweeter, seedless and often pale yellow. A Bearss lime can also be known as a Tahitian lime or Persian lime. If you can find sweet limes, take them home with you. It’s quite the winter surprise. READ MORE . . .

2017/02/272018/03/23

Citrus Salt

Food in Jars Mastery Challenge

“And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry years. It was always that way. And that was the long Salinas Valley. “

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

After all the dark and stormy weather plus two power outages in one week this is just the project I needed. Easy and rewarding, the bright color and intensity of pure citrus chased all my gray thoughts away. Salt preserving is the second Food in Jars Mastery Challenge. Making citrus salt was nothing like making marmalade, the first Mastery Challenge. There wasn’t anything sweet to temper the boldness. It was intense in its presentation. I zested the fruit into separate piles, Lisbon lemon, Persian lime and Meyer lemon. Rubbing the zest into the salt was a sensory pleasure. As even more citrus oil perfumed my fingertips my mind wandered. I wanted to be more like my lemons and limes, bold and bright in winter, but not crisp and brittle. To bring joy and only overwhelm with goodness. To know that adding a little sweetness doesn’t diminish a personality, it just softens the intensity. READ MORE . . .

2015/02/252018/04/07

Kiwi Lime Tart with a Pretzel Crust

A Winter Kiwi Harvest

“They don’t have any winter in California,” he said. It’s just like spring all the time.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

There is something astonishing about being able to pick fruit in the middle of winter. On a bright sunny California day it’s easy to forget it’s January. We went to pick kiwi and the winter sunshine was so warm that no jacket was needed. The last time we picked kiwi I made a cake. This time I made a tart. There is an explosion of flavor in this voluptuous dessert. Tucked under a canopy of kiwi is a pretzel crust loaded with lime curd. Each component is marvelous. A buttery and salty pretzel crust that is easy to make. It supports the velvety lime curd with a solid foundation of crunch. Then lots of kiwi with their big green color and bright floral flavor top off this marvelous dessert. READ MORE . . .

2011/09/042017/12/26

Salad for Dinner

Summer on a Plate!

“Well, right now you can buy fruit and all kinds of vegetables for two bits a lug.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

We often enjoy salads for dinner. I wanted to make a salad with the fruits and colors of summer as a main dish. The chicken could easily be omitted and the salad would still evoke summer on a plate. READ MORE . . .