lemon curd – all with the flip of a coin

by Michelle

lemon curd - he flipped a coin

They’d won the war…

After spending three years working in his dad’s Nottingham butcher shop, he decided he wanted an adventure.

Sitting in his favourite neighbourhood pub, he tossed a coin. Heads: Canada, tails: Australia. The queen stared up from the palm of his hand – off to Canada.

He met her at the breakfast counter of the Five and Dime. If her section was full, he waited…

She gave him seven children.

They gave him seventeen grandchildren.

They gave him twenty great-grandchildren.

He gave them everything.

My father-in-law passed away peacefully Friday. There are so many stories that I could share with you to explain his spirit. This is my most cherished.

After their wedding, they moved to Halifax. He’d found a sparsely furnished flat for her to set up house-keeping. He gave her two hundred dollars before he left for work the first morning of their new life together.

“Why don’t you drop by the office after you’re done getting things for the apartment.”

She agreed.

She set off to find dishes, towels, bedding – all of the things a newly married couple would need. It was the first time in her life that she had money to spend on things other than food and clothes for her younger brothers.

It was winter. As she walked down Spring Garden Road, she passed a ladies clothing boutique. The manniquin in the display window was wearing “the most beautiful persian lamb coat” she’d ever seen. It cost two hundred dollars.

He saw her enter his building. He saw the coat. Pay day was a week away.

She watched him come towards her. How would she explain?

“How about I take the most beautiful girl in the world out for a drink?”

He spent his life loving her like that…

Reg loved my lemon curd. As I stood at my stove, I gave thanks that he flipped that coin.

lemon curd - he flipped a coin

LEMON CURD
Makes 2 cups

½ cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
½ cup sugar
3 large eggs
½ cup butter, cut into 8 equal pieces

lemon curd - he flipped a coin

THE STEPS:

  • Whisk together juice, lemon zest, sugar, and eggs in a medium heavy bottomed pot.
  • Stir in butter and cook over medium low heat
  • Whisk frequently, until curd is thick and has started to bubble, about 6 minutes. [ 170*F ]
  • Pour curd into jars and chill.
  • Spread it on bisciuts or toast. Awesome as a tart filling.

THE LOVE: Stir constantly to avoid scorching.

print recipe

lemon curd - he flipped a coin

Thanks for reading.

29 comments

Marie August 4, 2014 - 8:33 am

He loved your Lemon Curd, but I would bet he loved his daughter-in-law for who she is: an artist in her own right; a loving being; a person who lives life to the full. My heart goes out to you and Ralph, Michelle. Reg sounds like his spirit was one we all wish we could claim!

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Michelle August 4, 2014 - 8:43 am

He was beloved…

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Penny Wolfe August 4, 2014 - 8:52 am

What a wonderful story. Brought tears to my eyes and made me smile all at the same time. Thanks for sharing. My condolences to your family.

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Michelle August 4, 2014 - 8:54 am

Thank you Penny.

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Wayne Harrison August 4, 2014 - 9:05 am

A beautiful story – such a wonderful tribute. It is clear that Ralph learned from his dad! xo

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Michelle August 4, 2014 - 9:11 am

He certainly did! xo

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ibbeachnana August 4, 2014 - 9:18 am

What a great story Michelle. I was watching something over the weekend and whoever it was made lemon curd and it is on my list of to do’s soon. Also made the scones that you posted last week, delicious

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Michelle August 4, 2014 - 9:26 am

Try the lemon curd on plain scones or raspberry scones – you’ll flip!

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Christie August 4, 2014 - 9:40 am

xo

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Michelle August 4, 2014 - 10:34 am

life…

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Nathalie Godbout August 4, 2014 - 9:48 am

Such a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it! Such an honourable love… Thinking of you all with heavy hearts…

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Michelle August 4, 2014 - 10:34 am

xo

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heidi August 4, 2014 - 10:30 am

Thank you Chell that was beautiful so well said♡♡

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Michelle August 4, 2014 - 10:34 am

Love you…

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Anne Marie August 4, 2014 - 10:46 am

Sympathies to Ralph and you and all the family…all good memories and stories to pass on to your daughters and soon to be grandchild

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Michelle August 4, 2014 - 11:14 am

very kind of you – thank so much.

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deejeff August 4, 2014 - 11:39 am

O-M-G this is good. Just made a batch. 🙂 How long can I expect it to keep?

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Michelle August 4, 2014 - 5:00 pm

I think to be on the safe side, I’d say one week. Glad you liked it!

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Joe August 4, 2014 - 12:45 pm

Lovely story!

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Michelle August 4, 2014 - 5:00 pm

so true… xo

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Diane August 4, 2014 - 3:39 pm

Another story to make me cry. Thinking of you and Ralph

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Michelle August 4, 2014 - 5:01 pm

xo

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lisa August 4, 2014 - 6:00 pm

Hi there- I love your blog…Do you think I could can the lemon curd, with a pressure cooker? Would you have a recipe for it?

Thanks so much!!!!

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Michelle August 4, 2014 - 6:41 pm

I don’t know…I’ve never done that. It’s sold commercially but I’m not sure that there isn’t some kind of synthetic stabalizer…

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marianne beckwith (@mariannebeckwit) August 4, 2014 - 9:17 pm

Sorry to hear about Ralph’s Dad. I miss my dad every day so I know how much it means. Lovely stories you told xox

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Michelle August 6, 2014 - 9:10 am

xo

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Helen Sampson August 5, 2014 - 2:18 pm

That flip of a coin set so many thing in motion! Thank you for sharing.

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Michelle August 6, 2014 - 9:04 am

It sure did!

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lisa trainer August 6, 2014 - 2:49 pm

My stepmother and I love love love lemon curd. Could I can this?

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