March 2015 - Page 2 of 2 - Love and Confections

Meyer Lemon Curd is slightly tart, deliciously sweet and all around perfect to brighten your day.

Meyer Lemon Curd from LoveandConfections.com

While some people have snow still on the ground, here in Florida, Spring has arrived and it has been pretty nice for the past week. We are actually in the upper-80’s right now and with the time change there are sure to be lots evening walks and grilling outside often.

When I think of Spring, the color yellow comes to mind. One of my favorite bright, flavorful and yellow fruits are lemons – perfect for Spring! I absolutely love curds, like my Key Lime Curd, that I use in ice cream. Lemon Meringue Pie Ice Cream is divine! There is just something magical about whisking eggs and lemon juice… my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

I can just eat lemon curd with a spoon, it’s that good. I also add it to my breakfasts and desserts. Lemon Blueberry Parfaits are a great way to start your day, and Lemon Meringue Tartlets are the perfect after dinner treat. I can’t wait to share with you what I created with this batch of curd – for that you’ll have to tune into next week!

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Meyer Lemon Curd
A Love and Confection original recipe
Click here for a printable recipe

Meyer Lemon Curd Ingredients:
– 100 grams Meyer Lemon Juice
– 62.5 grams Unsalted Butter, room temperature
– 62.5 grams Granulated Sugar (first measurement)
– 62.5 grams Granulated Sugar (second measurement)
– 12.5 grams Corn Starch
– 150 grams large Eggs

Meyer Lemon Curd Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan, combine the Meyer Lemon Juice, Unsalted Butter and first measurement of Sugar. Whisk to combine and cook on medium to medium-high until sugar has dissolved and mixture is just simmering.
2. Right before the liquids boil, whisk together the second measurement of Sugar, Corn Starch and Eggs in a bowl big enough to hold the liquid and egg mixtures.
3. Temper the eggs: slowly pour the hot liquid, in a small stream, into the bowl while constantly whisking the eggs. Pour the mixture back into the pan and heat on the stove until it is thick and almost boiling.
4. With a sieve, strain the curd into a clean bowl to insure no overcooked eggs get into the curd. Place plastic wrap onto the surface of the curd and let it cool for 30 minutes on the counter, then refrigerate it until it is thoroughly chilled.

Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean Bark is an easy and luscious treat,

perfect for a quick, sweet snack or indulgent dessert!

Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean Bark for #SundaySupper

Welcome to a Beantastic #SundaySupper! I was debating on what to make for this week’s theme. Originally black beans were what I was leaning toward, but there were a few black bean desserts already being made. I recently hosted Vanilla Week, so I didn’t want to focus on the vanilla bean. Then, a “light-bulb moment” happened – you know in cartoons, when the character gets a brilliant idea and a light-bulb pops up over his head – yeah, I have those moments…

Coffee! or more precisely, Espresso Beans! I love treating myself to a little package of Chocolate Covered Espresso Bits from my local supermarket. They’re the perfect amount of chocolate and espresso flavor packed into a little snack. The only thing that could make them even better is more chocolate and espresso.

I used espresso powder to flavor the chocolate and used chopped and whole chocolate covered espresso bits, so you have espresso in every bite. The espresso bits give the bark a nice crunch and I topped it off with a sprinkling of sea salt, because let’s be honest, almost everything is better with a sprinkling of sea salt. I hope you enjoy this easy and delicious recipe!

Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean Bark
A Love and Confections original recipe
Click here for a printable recipe

Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean Bark Ingredients:
– 3/4 cup Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean Bits, divided
– 12 ounces Almond Bark Chocolate Baking Bar
– 1 teaspoon Espresso Powder
– Pinch of Sea Salt

Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean Bark Directions:
1. Prepare a jelly roll pan with a piece of wax paper. Place 1/4 cup of the Espresso Bits into a bowl. Coarsely chop the remaining 1/2 cup of Espresso Bits and place into the same bowl. Mix and set aside.
2. Chop the Almond Bark Baking Bar into pieces and place into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds, in the microwave, then stir with a spatula. Heat for an additional 30 seconds and stir once again. If necessary, heat for another 15-20 seconds. Stir after each heating and make sure not to over heat or burn the bark. If there are little bits of chocolate still there, stir with a spatula and the heat from the melted chocolate should finish melting the rest.
3. Once the chocolate is completely melted, add in the Espresso Powder and stir. Pour the chocolate onto the prepared wax paper and smooth out with a large offset spatula. Quickly sprinkle on the chopped and whole Espresso Pieces, pressing them into the chocolate slightly, and sprinkle on the Sea Salt. You can refrigerate it until it hardens, but it can also be left out at room temperature. Cut into pieces and enjoy!

Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

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Here are more Sunday Supper Bean Dishes
Beantastic Beginners:

Avocado Hummus by Our Good Life
Bean Ragoût and Crisped Mushrooms by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Black Bean Chili Nachos by Brunch with Joy
Chickpea Fries (Panisse) by Curious Cuisiniere
Five Layer Greek Hummus Dip by Food Done Light
Pizza Roasted Chickpeas by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
White Bean and Basil Spread by Peaceful Cooking

Bean-a-rific Soups and Stews:

Butternut Squash White Bean Soup by Magnolia Days
Chickpea and Bean Soup by Momma’s Meals
Classic Cassoulet by Food Lust People Love
Navy Bean & Kale Soup by An Appealing Plan
Navy Bean Soup by The Messy Baker
Slow Cooker Pork and Bean Stew by Nosh My Way
Kielbasa and White Bean Soup by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
Spicy Sausage, White Bean and Spinach Soup by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen

Bean-a-licious Sides:

Bean and Cornbread Salad by MealDiva
Clams with Black Beans by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole by Gluten Free Crumbley
Gold Rush Baked Beans by Lifestyle Food Artistry
Maple Brown Sugar Baked Beans by Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen
Pinto Beans With Cornbread Croutons by Nik Snacks
Whiskey Bacon Baked Beans by Sew You Think You Can Cook

Incredi-bean Main Meals:

Arugula Tomato and Beans Flatbread by Family Foodie
Bean and Bacon Tacos by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Beefy Lima Bean Casserole by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Colombian Red beans – Frisoles Antioquenos by Palatable Pastime
Italian Beans and Greens by Simply Healthy Family
Honey-Lime Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tacos by The Chunky Chef
One Pot Tuscan Style Garlic Herb Pork Chops by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Orecchiette with White Beans and Swiss Chard by Delaware Girl Eats
Skillet Black Beans and Pork by Cooking Chat
Ultimate Chili Stuffed Sweet Potatoes by Pancake Warriors
White Bean Ragout, Frisèe, and a Fried Egg by The Wimpy Vegetarian

Amaze-beans Sweet Endings:

Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean Bark by Love and Confections
Flourless Almond Joy Cookie Dough Ball by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Flourless Mocha Brownies by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Gluten-Free Black Bean Brownies by Wallflour Girl
Gluten-Free Donuts by NinjaBaker
Pecan Praline Black Bean Brownies by Rhubarb and Honey
Soy Awesome Cookies 2.0 by What Smells So Good?
Strawberry Coco-Cacao Bean Smoothie by Dandelion Greens
Sweet Bean Pie by Shockingly Delicious
Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee by Noshing With The Nolands

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Archives for March 2015