Lemon Gems

Nigella says her children call these fried egg biscuits, cheeky monkeys.

I had some lovely organic lemon curd in the fridge I bought at the markets a little while back, it was one of those beautiful packaging impulse sale items. Honestly I have little need for lemon curd in my life or my hips but these cookies are a treat. I am proud to say they were break apart in your fingers shortbread  tender & had a very grown up not too sweet & just a little tart flavor…perfect for morning tea or rainy days when you need something sunny to cheer you up.

I must say they were only really good on the day they were made however & would probably halve the recipe next time to avoid waste.  I actually ran out of lemon curd & for the rest of the dough added a handful of shredded coconut flesh for a bit of texture, they were also delicious

Lemon Gems

(From Nigella Lawson’s “How to be a Domestic Goddess”)

Ingredients:

• 125g vegetable shortening
• 125g unsalted butter, softened
• 75g caster sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• zest of one lemon
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 275g ground almonds
• 25g cornflour
• 6-7 tbs lemon curd

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180c/350f
2. In a large bowl beat the vegetable shortening, butter & sugar together. Add the egg yolk, lemon juice, zest & salt.
3. Gently fold in the flour in 2 batches, then the almond meal & cornflour. (take care not to be too heavy handed or the dough will become very sticky)
4. Form into balls the size of large cherry tomatoes & place on a lined baking sheet. Make an indentation with your thumb & chill for 10 minutes
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden & imeediately  fill each biscuit with 1/2 tsp lemon curd. When they’re all filled leave on a wire rack to cool.

It has been raining for nearly 2 weeks now, and as much as I love the rain it is beginning to effect my mood. Have you noticed my recent need for “sunny” everything lately? From sunflowers to tart little lemon cookies..I just need it to be yellow & perky. What do you bake when you need a little pick me up?