Saturday, April 6, 2013

Desperately Seeking . . .

S p r i n g !  
     Where is it?  What about that Punxsutawney Phil?  He predicted an early spring.  Television reports that people are ready to do him in for his false prognostication.  A lawyer in NY wants to sue - that would be like a New Yorker.  The fact that the TV news has found this reportable information makes one wonder, "Do we just need someone - thing - to take the blame?" Seriously, he better tuck himself as far back as he can in his burrow.  
Spring !

     March has been cold and windy, but that's usually what March is.  Anything better than that is pure luck. But it is also a time when the robins do come back and the birds start to greet the early morning by singing.  So maybe one isn't going to feel spring, but it is here, just not in the way most would like.

     Spring - just get up early - as in before dawn - and listen for the birds. 



This recipe adapted from America's Best Lost Recipes is spring in a dessert.
                     Upside-Down Lemon Pudding Cake 
2 large eggs , separated, at room temperature
2 T unsalted butter, softened
2/3  cup sugar
2 T flour
2 T lemon zest
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice from 2 lemons
1 cup milk

1.  Oven to 350, place rack in center of oven. Grease six 6-ounce ramekins.
2. Using medium-high speed, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. Beat the butter and sugar together, medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape bowl as needed. 
Reduce the speed to medium and add the egg yolks, mixing until incorporated. Add the flour, lemon zest, and salt. beat until combined.
     Add the lemon juice and milk, beat until incorporated. Fold in the egg whites. Pour the batter into the 
ramekins. 
     Place the dishes in a large baking pan and add enough boiling
water to the pan so that it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins.

3. Bake until the top is golden and the center springs back when gently
pressed, 35 to 45 minutes for a large baking dish and 25 to 35 minutes for
the individual ramekins. Transfer the dishes to a rack to cool completely,
at least 1 1/2 hours. (The pudding cakes can be refrigerated for up to 2
days. Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.) To
serve, run a paring knife around the edges of the dish and invert onto a
plate.

 Serve at room temperature.