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Berries with Honey Crema and Candied Lime Zest

Christine Burns Rudalevige
Waste not, want not. The zest of the limes used to produce the crema get candied to make this bowl of berries and cream that much more exciting.
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 2-3 limes
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • cup cultured buttermilk
  • ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 3 cups fresh berries

Instructions
 

  • ►Use a citrus zester* to remove the zest from the limes in long, thin strands. Set aside.
  • ►Squeeze as many limes as it takes to measure 2 tablespoons juice. In a sterilized quart jar, combine lime juice, cream, and buttermilk. Cover the opening of the jar with cheesecloth and secure it in place with a rubber band. Set the jar on the counter to thicken for four days. When the crema is thick, replace the cheesecloth with a lid and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
  • ►To make the candied lime zest, place the zest in a small pan. Add an inch of water. Place pan over high heat and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and strain out the water. Repeat that process two more times to remove any bitterness from the zest. Set the drained zest aside.
  • ►Combine ½ cup sugar with ½ cup water. Place over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add zest, bring to a simmer, and cook until the zest is translucent. Drain the zest from the simple syrup, saving the latter to make cocktails. Toss the drained candied zest with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and spread out on a plate to dry overnight. Once dried, candied zest can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for two weeks.
  • ►To assemble the dessert, combine 1 cup crema with 1 tablespoon honey. Divide berries into four bowls. Top each with ¼ cup honey crema. Garnish each bowl with the candied zest and serve immediately.

Notes

*A citrus zester is a special tool for removing just the zest of the fruit in sturdy strips. It is not the same as a microplane grater.