I’m a little late in posting this. Last week I went to Central Market for their Citrus Fest. I had so much fun walking around the store and sampling all the different kinds of citrus that were on display. The reason I’m late with this is that Citrus Fest ended on Monday, but don’t let that stop you from heading to your local market to see what citrus is in season. They had all kinds of things that they don’t normally offer. Am I the only one who had never heard of Buddha’s Hand? I would have bought one, but they were $6 each, and that seemed like a lot for a fruit that is used mostly for fragrance purposes!

I think Citrus Fest in the middle of January is a genius idea. Who isn’t ready for a little bit of zesty vitamin C in the middle of the blahest month of the year?! I always love picking up blood oranges when I can find them, and this year I discovered the delightful Kishu Mandarin and the pink lemon. I was a little disappointed the the inside of the lemon wasn’t bright pink, but I loved the green strips on the outside. I decided to try my hand at some pink lemon bars.

As a kid, lemon bars were my favorite thing about any church event that involved food. We never made them just for home, we had to have somewhere to take them. I love how tangy these bars are, and they seem like the perfect ray of sunshine in the middle of Winter.

Do you have anything that like to make to get you out of the Winter doldrums?

Pink Lemon Bars:

adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/4 c. powdered sugar
• 1 c. flour
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 2 Tbsp. flour
• zest from one small lemon
• 3 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder

Instructions:

1. Beat butter until smooth.
2. Add the powdered sugar and mix until combined. Add in the 1 c. of flour and mix until small crumbs form.
3. Press crumb mixture into an ungreased 8 x 8 pan. Bake in a 350º oven for 15 minutes.
4. While the crust is baking, beat the eggs with the 3/4 c. of sugar.
5. Add the lemon peel, lemon juice, flour and baking powder. Mix well.
6. Pour filling over the baked crust and place bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
7. After baking, let cool and cut into squares. You can also top the squares with more powdered sugar.