Strawberry Dumplings with Lemon Curd

Strawberry Dumplings with Lemon Curd Recipe

| Servings: 4

Introduction

Strawberry Dumplings with Lemon Curd is a delightful and refreshing dessert that combines the sweetness of strawberries with the tanginess of lemon curd. This recipe is perfect for a summer treat or a special occasion.

History

This recipe is a modern twist on traditional dumplings, which are typically savory. By adding strawberries and lemon curd, this dish transforms into a sweet and fruity dessert that is sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients

Lemon Curd

5 large egg yolks
0.5 cup sugar
6 tbsp lemon juice
0.25 cup butter

Strawberry Sauce

1 pt (473 ml) basket California strawberries, stemmed and halved
0.5 cup water
0.33 cup sugar
2 tsp lemon juice
A pinch of salt

Dumplings

1 cup flour
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp baking powder
0.75 tsp salt
0.5 cup milk
1 tbsp butter
1.5 tsp grated lemon peel

How to prepare

To make lemon curd: In a heavy-bottomed stainless steel saucepan, combine yolks, sugar, and juice. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens slightly. Do not boil. Remove from heat and whisk in butter. Cool slightly, cover, and chill. To make strawberry sauce: Combine sauce ingredients in a Dutch oven. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Set aside and keep warm. To make dumplings, in a food processor, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add milk, butter, and lemon peel. Pulse on and off just until combined. Divide the batter into 12 equal portions and place in the Dutch oven with the sauce. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes without lifting the lid. Spoon the sauce into 4 dessert plates, dividing equally. Top each plate with 3 dumplings and 0.25 cup of lemon curd. Yields: 4 servings.

Variations

Try using different fruits such as peaches or blueberries in place of strawberries.
Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dumpling batter for a warm and spicy flavor.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to stir the lemon curd constantly while cooking to prevent it from curdling.

- Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor and texture in the sauce.

- Make sure to cover the Dutch oven while simmering the dumplings to ensure they cook evenly.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the dumplings warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat.

Cooking Techniques

The key to this recipe is to simmer the dumplings in the strawberry sauce without lifting the lid to ensure they cook through properly.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use store-bought lemon curd if you don't have time to make it from scratch.

- If you don't have fresh strawberries, you can use frozen strawberries in the sauce.

Make Ahead Tips

You can make the lemon curd and strawberry sauce ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until ready to serve. The dumplings are best made fresh.

Presentation Ideas

Serve the dumplings in individual dessert plates, topped with a drizzle of extra strawberry sauce and a sprig of fresh mint for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

This dessert pairs well with a glass of sparkling wine or a cup of hot tea.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Calories: 380 per serving

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates: 45g per serving

Fats

Total Fat: 18g per serving

Proteins

Protein: 7g per serving

Vitamins and minerals

This dish is rich in Vitamin C from the strawberries and lemon juice.

Alergens

This recipe contains eggs, dairy, and wheat.

Summary

This dessert is a moderate source of carbohydrates and fats, with a good amount of protein. It is also a good source of Vitamin C.

Summary

Strawberry Dumplings with Lemon Curd is a delicious and unique dessert that is sure to impress your guests. With a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors, this dish is a must-try for any food lover.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the excitement that washed over me when I first saw this recipe for Strawberry Dumplings with Lemon Curd. It was a warm summer day, and I was visiting my dear friend Martha in her cozy kitchen. Martha was a fantastic cook, always whipping up delicious dishes with ease and grace. On that particular day, she had a gleam in her eye as she pulled out an old, tattered cookbook from her cupboard.

"Darling, you simply must try this recipe," Martha exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's a family favorite, passed down from generations. I learned it from my grandmother, who learned it from hers."

I eagerly peered over Martha's shoulder as she flipped through the pages of the cookbook, finally landing on the recipe for Strawberry Dumplings with Lemon Curd. The ingredients were simple - fresh strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, butter, flour, and a touch of cream. But the method was what caught my attention. The dumplings were made by wrapping the sweetened strawberries in a delicate dough, then simmering them in a lemon-infused syrup until they were tender and bursting with flavor. The lemon curd was to be drizzled over the warm dumplings, adding a bright and tangy contrast to the sweet berries.

I couldn't wait to try it for myself. Martha patiently guided me through the steps, teaching me how to make the dough light and fluffy, how to simmer the dumplings just right, and how to make the lemon curd silky and smooth. As the fragrance of strawberries and lemons filled the kitchen, I knew that this recipe was going to be a special one.

Over the years, I made the Strawberry Dumplings with Lemon Curd countless times, always with a sense of joy and nostalgia. I would think of Martha and her grandmother, and how this recipe had been passed down through the generations, bringing comfort and happiness to all who tasted it. Each time I made it, I would tweak the recipe slightly, adding a pinch of cinnamon here, a splash of vanilla there, making it my own while still honoring the tradition behind it.

One summer, I decided to host a garden party for my friends and family. I knew that the Strawberry Dumplings with Lemon Curd would be the perfect dessert to serve, a light and refreshing treat that would be sure to impress. As I rolled out the dough, filled it with the sweetened strawberries, and simmered them in the lemon syrup, I felt a sense of pride and satisfaction. This recipe had become a part of my own culinary repertoire, a beloved favorite that I would cherish for years to come.

When the dumplings were ready, I plated them delicately, drizzling the lemon curd over the top and garnishing them with a sprig of fresh mint. The sight of the vibrant red strawberries nestled in the golden dough, glistening with the lemon curd, was truly a feast for the eyes. And when my guests took their first bite, their faces lit up with delight.

"Oh, this is simply divine!" my friend exclaimed, savoring each spoonful. "I've never tasted anything quite like it."

As the sun began to set and the garden party came to a close, I felt a sense of contentment wash over me. The Strawberry Dumplings with Lemon Curd had been a hit, bringing joy and laughter to all who had enjoyed it. And as I cleaned up the kitchen that evening, I couldn't help but think of Martha and her grandmother, and how this recipe had brought us all together in a shared love of good food and cherished memories.

I tucked the old, tattered cookbook back into the cupboard, grateful for the inspiration it had provided me. And as I closed my eyes that night, I knew that the recipe for Strawberry Dumplings with Lemon Curd would always hold a special place in my heart, a reminder of the power of tradition and the joy of sharing a delicious meal with loved ones.