The sun is starting to make itself known here in the South, as hot and humid days are encouraging lazy days inside. When I think of summer fun, I often think of my coven and me in Florida. We had set aside a Sunday to celebrate the sun, pulled out the bathing suits, woodruff wine, and celebration rituals. Nothing strenuous, nothing intense—but instead it was a day of rest, relaxation, and celebration of our spiritual bond.
To celebrate the sun and spiritual friends, I wanted to create one of my favorite desserts: a lemon cloud tart. This tart is light, bright, and a delicious addition to a lighthearted day to share with those who you are spiritually connected with, as lemon is known to be spiritually uplifting. This would be a great time—and dish—to do any sort of spiritual initiations.
The Ingredients
The Crust
- 1 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 stick of butter (cold)
- 1 tsp. sugar
- ½ tsp. salt
The Filling
- 4 eggs, separated
- ¾ c. sugar, separated
- Juice of 3 lemons
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ¼ tsp. salt
The Technique
- Dish: Lemon Cloud Tart (or Tart au Citron)
- Intention: To encourage spiritual bonding with others
- When to Eat or Serve: During a low-pressure get together when you plan to spend a large amount of time together
- Magical Ingredients: Lemon, sugar, eggs, butter
- Feelings to Infuse: Openness, bonding, happiness
As you handle and prepare each ingredient, you’ll want to infuse each of the above feelings into its respective ingredient. Now, this can be difficult if you’re not really feeling it. I’m sure you’re like, “Tonya, I’m making this dish so I can feel these things,” so if you’re feeling insecure and closed off when you’re handling the lemon, you need to feel open. In order to do this, try simply thinking of a time when you felt a strong bond and connection, such as a time when you opened up to a close friend. Think of an event, a moment, or a time, and then remember how you felt, how good and how wonderful it was. You can do it! Then, when you eat the dish, you will feel those feelings again.
The Magic
- Lemon: Spiritual openness
- Sugar: Sweetness and kindness
- Eggs: Represent fertility, growing a connection
- Butter: Soothing and calm
Prepare
- Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine your crust ingredients and once you have a dough, roll out to about ¼ of an inch and lay over a tart pan. Press dough down into the grooves of the pan before baking the crust for 10 minutes.
- While the crust is baking, prepare your filling. In a small bowl, beat the 4 egg yolks with ½ cup of sugar until it creates ribbons. Add lemon juice and zest.
- Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water and let the mixture heat up until it is uncomfortable to touch. Mix frequently.
- In a large bowl, combine egg whites and salt before beating into soft peaks. Add ¼ cup of sugar and then finish beating into stiff peaks.
- Fold the warmed yolk mixture into the egg whites until well combined.
- Lower the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and pour the mixture into the tart crust. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Once cooled, top the tart with powdered sugar and whipped cream if desired, or take it a step further with a meringue.
Lemon Cloud Tart
Ingredients
The Crust
- 1 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 stick of butter cold
- 1 tsp. sugar
- ½ tsp. salt
The Filling
- 4 eggs separated
- ¾ c. sugar separated
- Juice of 3 lemons
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ¼ tsp. salt
Instructions
Prepare
- Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine your crust ingredients and once you have a dough, roll out to about ¼ of an inch and lay over a tart pan. Press dough down into the grooves of the pan before baking the crust for 10 minutes.
- While the crust is baking, prepare your filling. In a small bowl, beat the 4 egg yolks with ½ cup of sugar until it creates ribbons. Add lemon juice and zest.
- Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water and let the mixture heat up until it is uncomfortable to touch. Mix frequently.
- In a large bowl, combine egg whites and salt before beating into soft peaks. Add ¼ cup of sugar and then finish beating into stiff peaks.
- Fold the warmed yolk mixture into the egg whites until well combined.
- Lower the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and pour the mixture into the tart crust. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Once cooled, top the tart with powdered sugar and whipped cream if desired, or take it a step further with a meringue.