Red Currant Curd Recipes

Steps:

• Place currants in a medium stockpot over medium heat. Cook, crushing with a potato masher, until berries are completely soft, about 15 minutes.
• Strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Do not force fruit through strainer; discard pulp. There should be about 1 cup juice. Measure and set aside 1/2 cup juice. Reserve remaining juice for another use.
• Combine 1/2 cup currant juice, egg yolks, and sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon, 10 to 12 minutes. Do not allow the mixture to boil.
• Remove saucepan from heat. Add butter, one piece at a time, stirring with the wooden spoon until smooth.
• Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl. Lay a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the curd to avoid a skin from forming; wrap tightly. Let cool; refrigerate until firm and chilled, at least 1 hour.

Steps:

• Combine egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, and zest in a small saucepan. Whisk to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, for 10 to 12 minutes, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Do not allow the mixture to boil.
• Remove saucepan from heat. Add butter, one piece at a time, stirring with the wooden spoon until smooth.
• Strain mixture through a fine sieve into a medium bowl. Lay a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the curd to avoid a skin from forming; wrap tightly. Let cool; refrigerate until firm and chilled, at least 1 hour.

Steps:

• Place the currants into a large pot, and crush with a potato masher or berry crusher if you have one. Pour in 1 cup of water, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the fruit through a jelly cloth or cheese cloth, and measure out 5 cups of the juice.
• Pour the juice into a large saucepan, and stir in the sugar. Bring to a rapid boil over high heat, and stir in the liquid pectin immediately. Return to a full rolling boil, and allow to boil for 30 seconds.
• Remove from heat and skim off foam from the top. Ladle or pour into sterile 1/2 pint jars, filling to within 1/2 inch of the top. Wipe the rims with a clean damp cloth. Cover with new sterile lids and rings. Process covered in a bath of simmering water for 10 minutes or the time recommended by your local extension for your area.

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large skillet set over medium heat, and stir in currants and sugar. Cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved and the currants have softened, about 5 minutes.
• Remove skillet from heat, and lightly crush fruit with the back of a wooden spoon. Don't mash to a puree; some texture should remain. Transfer mixture to a bowl, and cool completely in the refrigerator before proceeding.
• In a small bowl, whisk the cream until it holds soft peaks. Set aside 1/2 cup of fruit mixture. Gently fold the whipped cream into the remaining fruit mixture, leaving it marbled. Serve immediately in individual bowls, garnished with a spoonful of the reserved fruit mixture.