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I made Candied Limes and Lime Syrup for some Strawberry Lime Cupcakes. I had made these before, as well as other candied fruits and syrups, but this time was particularly trying for me.
The adventure begins
I prepared the Candied Limes and syrup the night before so they would have time to set and be ready to add to the cupcakes the next day. I followed the recipe I had used before to make candied fruits and syrup. The lime slices came out so pretty! When tasted the syrup though, it was strangely bitter and didn't taste quite like it did the last time I made it. So I googled how to cut the bitterness in food. I found out that adding butter would help, so I tried that and it tasted pretty good 👍
Try #1
The next morning I'm up bright and early, making the buttercream, and getting ready to assemble everything. I got the Lime Syrup out of the fridge. I tasted it one more time just to make sure it was good and... 😱😵💫🤢 It was sooooo bad!!!! I tried the Candied Limes and... 😱😵💫🤢 They tasted like meat - WHAT?! I realized then that they tasted like the food I had cooked in that skillet the night before, even though I washed it twice, rinsed it with vinegar, and followed that with water.
Try #2
Once my panic subsided, I asked God to show me what to do, and He led me to another recipe that didn't require such a long time to set. So, I sliced another lime and started the process again using my dedicated pot this time. I tweaked the recipe to fit what I needed and set my timer according to what the recipe said. I checked the slices for translucence around the halfway point on the timer. They looked ready, but I decided to follow the directions and wait instead of trusting the sense God gave me.
A few minutes later it hit me...I used the WRONG TIME 🤦♀️Because I was only making half the recipe, they were ready in about half the time. When I went back to check them, the slices were hard as rocks...I had to clean burnt syrup out of my pot 😩
At this point, I was like "Can I just buy some lime candy?" or, "Should I tell my clients I had to just do strawberry cupcakes instead of strawberry lime ones?" I was running out of time. Despair almost kicked in, but I decided to hold on to my peace instead.
Try #3
I settled myself again, asked God to forgive me for not trusting Him, and to show me what to do again. I sliced my last lime and started the process again, this time trusting the sense God gave me. And SUCCESS!!! They came out so delicious and pretty, even better than before! Same with the syrup, it was amazing! So I'll be using this version of the recipe from now on.
The God-sent recipe
The original version of this recipe is by twissis on Food.com.
Delicious Candied Limes & Lime Syrup
READY IN: ~ 1 hour
SERVINGS: ~ 16
YIELDS: ~ 32 slices (halves) and ~6 oz (180 ml) of syrup
INGREDIENTS
2 large limes or 3 small limes
1 cup + 2 tbsp (104 g) organic sugar
1 cup (236 ml) water
2 tbsp (30 g) salted butter
Ice Bath
TOOLS
Knife or Mandolin
Dedicated Non-Stick Pot
Tongs
Parchment Paper
Cooling rack
Wilton Kelly Green Icing Color Gel (optional)
Toothpicks (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Slice limes into thin rounds and blanch in a pot of boiling water for 2 minutes. Transfer limes from boiling water into the ice bath. Discard boiled water.
In the same pot, combine 1 cup water & 1 cup sugar. Bring to a simmer & add lime slices. Use a toothpick to add gel color to the mixture. Simmer for 10-15 min, until the white pith of limes looks translucent (may take longer if the pith is especially thick or dense).
Remove pot from heat. Remove lime slices from the pot & spread out on a cooling rack lined with parchment to dry for at least 30 minutes.
Put the butter into the pot with the remaining liquid and stir until melted. Transfer into a container to cool and thicken.
Put the 2 tablespoons of sugar in a shallow bowl or saucer. When lime slices are dry, coat both sides of the slices by pressing them into the sugar (May need more sugar for good coverage). Cut slices in half.
Store in an airtight container & layer between parchment paper or plastic wrap until ready to use.
The takeaway...
Sometimes in this adventure of life when we go about doing things the way we've always done them, the unexpected happens and we're left wondering what to do next. But we have a Father who sees us and hears us every step of the way, a Father that has a plan to move us through what was unexpected to us into what is predestined by Him. Our job is to trust Him. When we trust Him, this adventure of life ends up being pretty delicious!
Be blessed and remember to "trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).
What "unexpected" thing has God turned around for your good? Tell me in the comments below! And let me know if you try the recipe, too!
Much love,
Mama J 😊
P.S. - Feel free to browse my menu, and let me know how I can bake up some happiness for you!