MICROWAVE LEMON CURD (WITH CANNING INSTRUCTIONS)

Steps:

• Wash lemons, rinse well and dry. Finely grate the thin yellow rind of the lemons. Be careful not to get any of the white pith, it is very bitter.
• Microwave the lemons on high for 20 seconds. Cut in half and ream out the juice. Strain out the seeds and any pulp. Measure the juice - you'll need 1/2 cup.
• Put the 1/2 cup juice, grated rind, butter and sugar into a microwaveable 4 cup container (I use a pyrex measure). Stir to wet the sugar.
• Microwave 1 1/2 - 2 minutes on High or until butter is melted and mixture is hot. Stir.
• Beat eggs with an electric mixer. With mixer running, gradually add the hot lemon mixture. Return the mixture to the microwaveable container.
• Microwave, uncovered, on MEDIUM (50%) for 1 - 2 minutes, STIRRING every 30 seconds, until it will coat the back of a metal spoon and a line drawn through the mixture coating the back of the spoon does not fill inches The curd will thicken more when it cools. DO NOT ALLOW IT TO BOIL.
• Pour into a tightly sealed container. REFRIGERATE and use within 2 weeks.
• For canning: Pour hot into hot sterilized canning jars, leaving 1 inch headspace. Wipe rims, top with hot lids, add rings and adjust. PRESSURE CAN half pints 10 minutes at 10 lbs. pressure. Allow pressure to reduce naturally. NOT SAFE FOR WATER BATH CANNING.