Meyer Lemon Bars

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." So when life gives me lemons, I will start a Meyer lemon orchard and make anything and everything with Meyer lemons. 

Ever since I started baking, I've always have a huge interest in food ingredients. One of the things that I've seen on many food blogs is Meyer lemons. This lemon is a cross breed between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange. They are sweeter and less acidic than regular lemons. They have a much aromatic smell and taste than regular lemons. 

Finally, I managed to purchase a bag of those bright golden lemons. What should I do with them? Too many lemon recipes before I narrowed it down to a couple of stuff that I really wanted to make. First up, I knew that I wanted to make lemon bars.

I never had a lemon bar in my life. 

The lemon filling was smooth and soft, but not runny. Simply luscious. It was a bright tasting desserts. The delicate, buttery crust and lemon filling provided the tangy, sweet notes to bind all the flavours together. And they definitely taste better the second day. So they are perfect for making ahead. 

All thanks to my food critics at home and workplace, the lemon bars are gone in less than a day. We find the lemon bars taste better without confectioner's sugar. 

I used Meyer lemon in this recipe, but many bakers experienced with Meyer versus regular lemon would vouch for the latter. Try the variation yourself and decide! I will. 

Meyer Lemon Bars

(Adapted from Bites Out Of Life)

Crust

• 140g all-purpose flour
• 50g sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 115g melted unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Lemon Topping

• 1 regular or Meyer lemon
• 200g sugar (As I used Meyer lemons and they are sweeter than regular lemons, I reduced the sugar to 160g)
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 4 teaspoon corn starch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 45g melted unsalted butter
• powdered sugar, for serving (I prefer not to)

1. Preheat the oven to 180 deg C. Line an 8-inch square pan with foil, pressing to nudge neatly into the corners. Lightly butter or spray the surface. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, sugar, salt, melted butter and vanilla, stirring just until smooth. Smooth the batter to the bottom of the pan, using your hands or a small offset spatula to get leveled. Bake for 25 minutes, or until deep-golden brown.
2. While the crust is cooking, cut the whole lemon in half, remove the seeds, and cut into chunks. Put the chunks of lemon in a food processor or blender along with the sugar and lemon juice, and let it run until the lemon is completely broken up. Add the eggs, corn starch, salt and melted butter and blend until almost smooth, leaving tiny bits of lemon in the mix. 
3. When the crust comes out of the oven, reduce the heat of the oven to 150 deg C. Pour the lemon filling over the hot crust and bake for 25 minutes or just until the filling stops jiggling and is barely set. Remove and let cool completely. Once cool, carefully lift out the bars grasping the foil. Cut the bars into squares or rectangles. Keep the bars chilled in refrigerator.
4. Serve chilled. 

Bars keep in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days and up to a month in the freezer. 

Linking this post to Little Thumbs Up 'Lemons' hosted by Grace, Life can be simple. This is organised by Zoe from Bake for Happy Kids and Doreen from My little favourite DIY.

Osmanthus Jelly with Wolfberries

Love is making delightful desserts for family and friends.

As 2014 unfolds, this is the time many people start thinking of resolutions for the New Year. With the New Year comes limitless possibilities for change and adventure, be it in your professional and private lives.

I was whirled into the brand new year as 2014 ushered in. And that NEWS that will bring change to my plans. 

As a trained professional with background in accounting, I think it would be interesting for us to specifically look at what you liked best about being an accounting professional. Additionally, try to pin down what caused you the most distress throughout the year. Lastly, what changes would you like to make in your role as an accounting profession as well as the accounting profession as a whole for 2014?

Did I tell you that being a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) is one of my childhood dreams?

Today, I'll share this easy to make refreshing and healthy osmanthus flower tea jelly with wolfberries. Good for weather lately dry and hot. Good for our eyes staring all day long at laptop screens, smartphones and iPads!

Osmanthus Jelly with Wolfberries

(adapted from noobcook and Anncoo Journal)

1 packet Agar Agar powder

1/4 tsp Gelatin powder

1 litre water

150g sugar 

3 tsp dried osmanthus flowers (1 to 1.5 tsp for every 400ml water)

3 tsp wolfberries

1. Soak wolfberries in water until puffy; drained.

2. In a pot, add water and bring to a boil. When water is boiling, lower heat and then add dried osmanthus flowers. Simmer for a short few minutes (roughly 2 minutes).

3. Add agar agar powder, gelatin powder and sugar. Keep stirring until the mixture is dissolved. Off the flame. 

4. Add 2 - 4 wolfberries in each jelly mould. Pour Osmanthus jelly into moulds. When the jelly is semi-set, use a small teaspoon to gently stir the jelly so that the osmanthus flowers will stay afloat in the middle. 

5. Leave to cool at room temperature and refrigerate osmanthus jelly to set.