Indulge in the exquisite fusion of sweet and savory with our tantalizing recipe for lemon bars, where the tangy zest of lemons harmonizes with the smooth richness of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. Immerse yourself in a culinary adventure as we guide you through the steps to create these delectable treats that will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.
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LEMON BARS WITH OLIVE OIL AND SEA SALT
Traditional lemon bars balance the tangy sweetness of lemon curd with a rich shortbread crust. This recipe adds extra notes of flavor to the mix: the compelling bitterness of good olive oil and a touch of sea salt sprinkled on top. They lend a mild savory character to this childhood favorite, making it a little more sophisticated than the usual lemon bar, but just as compelling. Choose an olive oil with personality, otherwise you'll miss the point. Something herbal and fresh tasting with peppery notes works best. Although the bars will last up to five days when stored in the fridge, they have the brightest flavor when eaten within 24 hours of baking.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories snack, cookies and bars, dessert
Time 1h30m
Yield 24 bars
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat oven to 325 degrees and line a 9-by-9-inch baking pan with enough parchment to hang over two of the sides (to be used as handles later to lift the bars out of the pan).
- To make the shortbread base, pulse together the flour, granulated sugar, confectioners' sugar, lemon zest and salt in a food processor, or whisk together in a large bowl. Add butter and pulse (or use two knives or your fingers) to cut the butter into the flour until a crumbly dough forms. Press dough into prepared pan and bake until shortbread is pale golden all over, 30 to 35 minutes.
- While the shortbread is baking, prepare the lemon curd: Grate 1/2 tablespoon zest from lemons and set aside. Squeeze lemons to yield 3/4 cup juice.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together lemon juice, sugar, eggs and yolks, cornstarch and fine sea salt over medium heat until boiling and thickened, 2 to 5 minutes. Make sure mixture comes to a boil and stays there for 30 seconds or so; you should see it thicken up before you take it off the heat. But once it boils do not cook for longer than 1 minute or you risk the curd thinning out again. Remove from heat and strain into a bowl. Whisk in butter, olive oil and lemon zest.
- When the shortbread is ready, take it out of the oven and carefully pour the lemon curd onto the shortbread base; return the pan to the oven. Bake until topping is just set, 10 to 15 minutes more. Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold before cutting into bars. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and flaky sea salt right before serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 176, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 23 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 44 milligrams, Sugar 16 grams, TransFat 0 grams
LEMON BARS WITH OLIVE OIL AND SEA SALT
Steps:
- Heat oven to 325 degrees and line a 9-by-9-inch baking pan with enough parchment to hang over two of the sides (to be used as handles later to lift the bars out of the pan)
- To make the shortbread base, pulse together the flour, granulated sugar, confectioners' sugar, lemon zest and salt in a food processor, or whisk together in a large bowl. Add butter and pulse (or use two knives or your fingers) to cut the butter into the flour until a crumbly dough forms. Press dough into prepared pan and bake until shortbread is pale golden all over, 30 to 35 minutes.
- While the shortbread is baking, prepare the lemon curd: Grate 1/2 tablespoon zest from lemons and set aside. Squeeze lemons to yield 3/4 cup juice.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together lemon juice, sugar, eggs and yolks, cornstarch and fine sea salt over medium heat until boiling and thickened, 2 to 5 minutes. Make sure mixture comes to a boil and stays there for 30 seconds or so; you should see it thicken up before you take it off the heat. But once it boils do not cook for longer than 1 minute or you risk the curd thinning out again. Remove from heat and strain into a bowl. Whisk in butter, olive oil and lemon zest.
- When the shortbread is ready, take it out of the oven and carefully pour the lemon curd onto the shortbread base; return the pan to the oven. Bake until topping is just set, 10 to 15 minutes more. Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold before cutting into bars. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and flaky sea salt right before serving.
LEMON BARS WITH OLIVE OIL AND SEA SALT BY MELISSA CLARK (NY TIMES)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat oven to 325 degrees and line a 9-by-9-inch baking pan with enough parchment to hang over two of the sides (to be used as handles later to lift the bars out of the pan). To make the shortbread base, pulse together the flour, granulated sugar, confectionersâ sugar, lemon zest and salt in a food processor, or whisk together in a large bowl. Add butter and pulse (or use two knives or your fingers) to cut the butter into the flour until a crumbly dough forms. Press dough into prepared pan and bake until shortbread is pale golden all over, 30 to 35 minutes. While the shortbread is baking, prepare the lemon curd: Grate 1/2 tablespoon zest from lemons and set aside. Squeeze lemons to yield 3/4 cup juice. In a small saucepan, whisk together lemon juice, sugar, eggs and yolks, cornstarch and fine sea salt over medium heat until boiling and thickened, 2 to 5 minutes. Make sure mixture comes to a boil or the cornstarch wonâÂÂt activate. But once it boils do not cook for longer than 1 minute or you risk the curd thinning out again. Remove from heat and strain into a bowl. Whisk in butter, olive oil and lemon zest. When the shortbread is ready, take it out of the oven and carefully pour the lemon curd onto the shortbread base; return the pan to the oven. Bake until topping is just set, 10 to 15 minutes more. Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold before cutting into bars. Sprinkle with confectionersâ sugar and flaky sea salt right before serving.
Tips:
- Use good quality ingredients, especially the lemons. Meyer lemons are a great choice for this recipe.
- Make sure the butter is cold before you add it to the flour mixture. This will help to create a flaky crust.
- Don't overmix the dough. Just mix until it comes together, then press it into the pan.
- Bake the crust until it is golden brown. This will help to prevent the filling from sinking.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting them. This will help to prevent them from falling apart.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
These lemon bars are a delicious and refreshing treat that are perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like them tart or sweet, these bars are sure to please. So next time you're looking for a dessert that is both delicious and easy to make, give these lemon bars a try.
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