1 / 2
These curds have an exciting taste.
Photo by Philippa Langley
2 / 2
“The Modern Preserver” by Kylee Newton will have you filling your pantries with jams, pickles, compotes, and more in no time.
Cover courtesy The Countryman Press
1 hr DURATION
40 min COOK TIME
20 min PREP TIME
2 or 3 6-ounce jars SERVINGS
Ingredients
- 1 pound berries (e.g. blackberries, raspberries, loganberries, blueberries, cranberries)
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 medium eggs, plus 2 egg yolks
- 1 cup superfine granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- Pinch of sea salt
Directions
- Note: If you are using frozen berries, defrost them completely first as you don’t want excess water in your curd. If using cranberries, substitute the lemon juice for 3 tablespoons of orange juice and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon while softening the fruit. If using blackberries, throw in a few juniper berries; if using raspberries, try adding a handful of chopped fresh mint, and if using blueberries, try adding a few fresh lemon thyme leaves. Soften the berries in a pan with the water and lemon juice on a medium heat. Depending on the berries used, this should take between 10–20 minutes. Make sure they are very soft and mushy and mash them a bit with a potato masher if necessary.
- Sieve the softened berries, discarding any seeds or skins and keeping the berry juice.
- Whisk the eggs, egg yolks, and sugar together until they are well mixed and light and frothy in texture.
- Gently melt the butter on a low heat in a medium, heavy-bottomed pan and, when completely melted, slowly pour in the egg mixture, stirring constantly, then add the berry juice.
- Continue stirring and cooking on the low heat until the mixture has thickened to a custard-like consistency. This may take up to 15 minutes but don’t be tempted to increase the heat as this could scramble the eggs.
- Remove from the heat and whisk the mixture to remove any lumps.
- Ladle into warm, dry sterilized jars, filling them to about 1/4 inch below the rim. Seal, leave to cool, and refrigerate. Keeps for up to 1–2 weeks in the fridge.
More From The Modern Preserver:
• Mulled Apple Cider• Spicy Beer Or Bourbon Pickles• Summer Berry and Lemon Thyme Jam
Excerpted from The Modern Preserver by Kylee Newton (The Countryman Press). Copyright © 2015
The Modern Preserver 
In the same way that the sour tartness of citrus marries well with sweet custardy curd, so does the slightly bitter tartness of most berries. Celebrate the berry season by making a bunch of different colored berry curds and give them to friends. You can have fun making up personalized labels and jars but make sure you tell them to keep their gifts in the fridge.
