An Easter Sweetie...

We are gearing up for the Big Day, here! The enormous ham is in the fridge, waiting to be studded with cloves, draped with pineapple slices and maple glaze, and put into the oven... There are Yukon Gold potatoes to be "scalloped", and fresh asparagus to be steamed and drizzled with butter...

And nestled into the freezer is our favourite dessert: Iced Lemon Torte. Tomorrow, about a half hour before dinner, I will bring it out, and ready the meringue topping. It is truly a beautiful sight when it is brought out from being under the oven broiler (for just. a. FEW. seconds!!) The white meringue "peaks" are touched with a toasted-brown colour. And the flavour? Fresh and delicious... A wonderful light treat, to cap off a splendid springtime meal. It may look as though you've slaved over it for hours, but actually, it's "easy, peasy, lemon-squeezy!!" as my children say...

Iced Lemon Torte

2 packages of soft lady fingers

5 eggs, separated

3/4 c of freshly squeezed lemon juice

the grated rind of one lemon

1 1/4 c granulated sugar

2 c of whipping cream, whipped

4 tbsp icing sugar

a dash of cream of tartar

Butter a 9 inch spring form pan and line the sides and bottom with split lady fingers.

In a saucepan, beat 5 egg yolks and 2 egg whites until thick. (Reserve the remaining whites for later.) Add the lemon juice, lemon rind and granulated sugar. Cook over a low heat, until the mixture is thickened. Allow to cool completely. Fold in the whipped cream, and pour the mixture into the prepared spring-pan.

Freeze overnight, or for at least six hours, covered with aluminum foil.

About one hour before serving, beat the remaining 3 egg whites, until stiff peaks are formed. Add the icing sugar and cream of tartar, and beat a few seconds more.

Turn on the oven broiler to "low". Spread the egg whites over the frozen torte and place under the broiler until the meringue is lightly browned. WATCH CAREFULLY!! The "browning" occurs very, VERY quickly and suddenly!!

Cool for a few moments, and return to the freezer if you are not going to serve the torte immediately. Or, allow the torte to stand for a few moments more before serving, to allow it to "defrost" a bit more.

Lovely served with a few fresh berries alongside...

Hope the Easter Bunny is good to all, tonight!!

xo CGF