A Simple Dessert: Martha's Lime Pudding Cups

I took advantage of today's April showers by staying indoors and cooking up a little something sweet. The word "cooking" may be a bit of an exaggeration, actually, since the recipe I used required just ten minutes of stove-top time! I made Martha's lime pudding cups, which are featured in the May issue of Martha Stewart Living on page 30 in the Good Things section: I highly recommend it.  With just six ingredients and the promise of a silky pudding texture with the delicious bite of lime, I was enticed to give it a try.

The dessert is based on a British dessert called posset, which is a simple mixture of cream, sugar and citrus juice (lemon or lime) often served with shortbread. In this recipe, the addition of crumbled graham crackers on top replaces the shortbread and adds a nice crunch, conjuring taste memories of citrus tarts; a pleasant texture contrast.  The lack of gelatin or eggs was another appealing factor for me; the chemical reaction that occurs between the acidity of the citrus juice and the mellowness of the hot cream creates a pudding-like texture without the use of additional ingredients or prolonged cooking time. Neat! I was smitten and very pleased with the results. I'll be making these again!

Here is the recipe:

In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of heavy cream, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of finely-grated lime zest and a pinch of kosher salt to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until reduced to 2 cups, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat: stir in 1/3 cup of freshly-squeezed lime juice. Let cool for 20 minutes, then strain through a fine sieve in a liquid measuring cup, discarding any solids. Divide evenly among six glasses. Refrigerate until set, at least two hours. Top the cups with sweetened whipped cream, crumbled graham crackers and more grated lime zest; serve.

Martha Moments Readers Share Their Easter Photos

It's been one week since Good Friday, but I couldn't resist sharing some of the wonderful photos that have come in from Martha Moments readers depicting their recent Easter celebrations. As always, Martha's fans are keen to make their celebrations festive, decorative, delicious and most of all memorable. Many of the recipes used for their celebrations were Martha's recipes; many of the products used to decorate their tables and serve their meals were Martha's products. And many of the ideas were inspired by Martha's projects and personal sensibilities. I hope you enjoy these Martha Moments!

Ramona Barry made the gorgeous cookies that were featured on the cover of the April issue using Martha's "four Ds" method: dip, drip, decorate and dry. They turned out very nice! You can watch Martha make the cookies here.

Alirio Pirela showcased his decorated Easter eggs in a ceramic egg tray. The colours are splendid!

Anna Darina Bredenberg in Germany sent in this photo of some of her Easter cookies, which were inspired by the ones shown on the cover of the April issue.

Hayden Regina went all out with colour this year for his Easter table. I love the very graphic table cloth, the fresh flowers and all that lustrous Jadeite!

Jeremy Lambertson showcased some of his McCoy pottery alongside hand-dyed Easter eggs and some lovely rabbit decorations. Very Martha!

Jeremy also used Martha's carrot cake recipe for his Easter dessert. It is displayed on a Martha by Mail cake stand.

This delicious looking version of Deviled Eggs by Bernie Wong was made all the more beautiful with the delicate application of a flower decoration on each serving.

Easter lilies at Bernie's house - and some very pretty bunny dishes.

This is a mix of goose and chicken eggs that Bernie has blown out. He left them white and I love the simplicity.

Anthony Picozzi set a gorgeous Easter table using some of Martha's faux-chocolate bunnies from her QVC holiday line.

Anthony also served Martha's classic devilled eggs. He gilded the lily by decorating the beautiful platter with quail eggs in a nest of dill.

Here is a closer look at one of Martha's QVC bunnies that Anthony had on display on his fireplace mantel. It really does look like chocolate!

Christopher Lewis-Long also displayed Martha's bunnies in his kitchen. (Jadeite really was a big theme this year for everyone!)

Melina Barbone-Leone made Martha's blueberry ricotta tart from her "New Way to Bake" book. You can get the recipe here. Looks delicious!

Melina also made Martha's flourless chocolate walnut torte, also from "A New Way to Bake." You can get the recipe here.

And here is Melina's very springlike centerpiece. Lovely!

Onana Pena made a blueberry bundt cake and decorated it gorgeously with a giant peony blossom. Looks so elegant!

Cindy Hamel's table looks absolutely beautiful and so welcoming! (Notice the eggs hanging from the chandelier?)

Paul S. Neumann made Martha's spring garden cake this year for Easter. He did a wonderful job! You can get the recipe here.

Sean Frederic Edgecombe made these delicious-looking scallops for his Easter meal. I love the dinnerware!

Sean also made Martha's recipe for vegetarian matzo ball soup. You can get the recipe here.

This antique buffet in the home of James Richmond is festooned with Easter decorations. A Martha Stewart Collection cake stand plays host to two nesting bunnies.

The Martha Stewart Shop + Easter Offerings

Martha always celebrates Easter in style. It is little wonder, then, that she is offering several Easter decor items for the season, most notably through Macy's and QVC. At QVC, there is a selection of Peter Rabbit decorations that are personal favourites of mine; the rabbits are designed to look exactly like chocolate Easter bunnies but are in fact made of a sturdy resin. There are two styles available in two different sizes: a standing rabbit, which is 16" tall and a seated rabbit, which is 10" high. Both styles are tied with a pretty green gingham ribbon, which can be changed for your own ribbon if you desire. Placed along the center of a table or on a buffet or a sideboard these bunnies would add whimsical charm with their trompe-l'oeil effect. Click here to see more of these cute little guys! I really love them.

These are the resin bunnies that Martha has at her home in Bedford. She based the QVC rabbits on these designs.

Meanwhile at Macy's, Martha has a selection of Easter offerings as well, including this set of four ceramic cocottes and a flower-shaped casserole dish that I'm quite in love with. Click here to see more of Martha's Easter offerings at Macy's.

ATTENTION SHOPPERS!

Martha shoppers will be glad to hear that marthastewart.com has now created a Martha Stewart Shop where all of Martha's products can be viewed through one simple portal. From lighting to rugs, garden supplies to clothing, home decor to books, wine and pet supplies, the Martha Stewart Shop is your one-stop location to see everything Martha!