Stir-up Sunday

Did you stir up a pudding or cake mix yesterday? I had intended to make my Christmas mincemeat and then realized that I had no cooking apples. Until the move to this town I have always had access to a plentiful supply of free fruit. At my childhood home we had a small brick built building in the garden that was used as an apple store. It smelt wonderful inside! I'm not aware of seeing cooking apples for sale in the shops but shall have to make an effort tomorrow to find some. Instead I made a batch of lemon curd, six lemons to make three jars of curd, plus a little more that we polished off at teatime.

It is a pleasant recipe to make. In a bowl over a pan of simmering water melt 6oz of butter. Add 12oz sugar and the rind and juice of six lemons. Beat 6 eggs and add to the mixture, stirring continually until the mixture has thickened. Pour into warmed jars while still hot. One jar for the fridge, two put into the freezer.