telynor's Full Review: Lori Longbotham - Luscious Lemon Desserts
Summer is here, those long afternoons that are best spent lazing out on the screened porch, and with a pitcher of iced tea and a book or two. For when the munchies hit, what can possibly be better than a soothing, tartness of a lemon tart or cookie?
But it isn't just summer that make lemons appropriate. In the cold, damp winter, nothing speaks more to me of sunshine than a light lemon mousse or slice of lemon cake. Think of them as taking a big bite of sunshine.
In this deceptively thin cookbook, author Lori Longbotham and photographer Aliso Miksch have assembled just about every known variety of dessert and sweet that uses lemon. From cakes, tarts, cookies, to smooth puddings and mousses, to that most basic of spreads, Lemon Curd, there is bound to be something to please anyone in this collection.
IntroductionSome of the author's personal thoughts on lemons and ideas for further experimentation.
Lemon Aid - Lemon Dessert Basics
Types of lemons (yes, there is more than one), how to choose lemons, and how to store them. How to squeeze lemons, how to get the zest off, and slicing and cooking them. Using lemons as garnishes. What is lemon extract and lemon oil and lemoncello?
Let them Eat Lemon Cake
From old standards such as Lemon Angel Food Cake and Lemon Pound Cake (this one is particularly delicious!) to the unusual Lemon and Olive Oil Chiffon cake, this is a collection of a few, but very versitile cakes. Besides the pound cake, what I liked in this one was the use of spices in this, that takes an old recipe and gives it new zip and flavor.
Tart Pies and Tangy Tarts
From Lemon Meringue pie, all the way to tarts and cheesecakes, at first I thought that it would be impossible to work cream and lemon juice into anything but a mess -- the acid in lemon juice will usually curdle milk and cream. Happily, I was proved quite wrong! If you want a dessert that's both light in flavor, but satisfying, try a lemon cheesecake. As for the Lemon Angel Pie, your guests will wonder how did you do it?
Puddings, Custards and a Souffle
These are actually much easier than you think, and much better than what you can find in a box on the supermarket shelf. To summon up a ghost of childhood, there's even a lemon rice pudding that is both comforting and delicious.
Special Favorites
Here, everything that couldn't be quite fit in elsewhere ended up. Shortcake, crepes, and how to use fresh fruit such as strawberries and blueberries with lemon.
Cookies
Proust's madeleines, shortbread, cat's-tongues, biscotti along with that classic, the lemon bar. Well, what can possibly go better with a cup of coffee or tea for a pick-me-up in the afternoon?
Frozen Lemon Desserts
Ice creams and gelatos. If you have an ice-cream maker, these recipes will make creating a summery delight an easy task.
Confections and Sauces
If you really want to pull out the stops and make a great thing even better, try some of the sauces and toppings here. Most use just a simple blend of fruits and spices. There's also a few recipes for those who like the taste of lemon and chocolate with a truffle recipe and also for candied and crystalized lemon peels.
Index Table of Equivalents
A really useful tool that the author has kindly put in each recipe is how many lemons it takes to make a particular recipe, which is a real help when planning the shopping list. In a light touch of humor, at the bottom of the contents page there is a small line of type: This book uses approximately 176 lemons.
Lusicous Lemon Desserts
Lori Longbotham
C. 2001, Chronicle Books, San Francisco
ISBN 081182893-X
Over 70 recipes--from the classics to lip-smacking new favorites--are enticingly presented, from fabulous Lemon Pudding to Mile-High Lemon Angel Food ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.