Lemon Pudding

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" - for me it is when life gives you lemons make a dessert.. Dessert is the most important part of meal to me, which satiates my hunger and taste buds.. And after chocolate, it has to be a dessert made of citrus, which gives a very refreshing feel.. And so what better than a lemon pudding.. I learnt this pudding from a friend of mine, who is also a dessert lover.. We always bond over food and specially desserts and share anything new that we make.. And so this dessert was shared by her..

                Its an amazing dessert with the freshness of lemon and crunchiness of praline.. As soon as you take the first bite, a splash of flavours fill your mouth.. Sweetness of icecream, tanginess of lemons, crunch of praline, softness of the sponge and velvetty texture of the dessert altogether is what makes this dessert very appealing..

Ingredients:

150gms sponge cake

400ml vanilla icecream (room temperature)

100gms white chocolate chopped

6tsp lemon juice

1/2  cup sugar syrup ie 1/2 cup water mixed with 2tbsp castor sugar

For praline

2tbsp sugar

8-10 cashews

Method: First make praline by heating sugar in a pan on medium flame till  golden brown and then add in cashews and mix well.. Remove in a greased plate and let it cool.. Make sure there is no water on the plate..  Remove from plate and break into small chunks..

Microwave white chocolate on high for 30 secs.. Mix and microwave again for 30secs.. The chocolate will melt. Let it temper for few minutes ie it should at room temperature and in melted form only.. Add lemon juice 1tsp at a time and mix well.. The chocolate hardens first and appears crumbly in texture, you need not worry.. Keep adding lemon juice and mix well, till you get a smooth chocolate and lemon paste.. Now add 1tbsp of icecream and mix well.. Then slowly add in the whole icecream and whisk well.. Be careful, if the icecream is cold, the chocolate will solidify as you mix and it will be lumpy.. So make sure the icecream is at room temperature.. Whisk really well for few minutes till everything is well incorporated.. Now take small bowls in which you want to set the dessert.. Crumble sponge cake and make a layer in the bowl by pressing firmly with hand.. Sprinkle sugar syrup all over till the sponge soaks it well.. Now pour the icecream and chocolate mixture on the sponge.. Spread praline over the dessert and let it chill in fridge for few hours.. Serve chilled..

   Heat sugar till brown.. Add in cashews, mix and remove in greased plate..

                                        Assemble all ingredients..

                                        Heat white chocolate, temper it and add in 1tsp lemon juice..

                                        The chocolate turns hard and resembles crumbly texture..

                           Add in more lemon juice 1tsp at a time and keep mixing,...

                                      It starts turning smooth as it absorbs the lemon juice..

                                         The chocolate becomes smooth and runny..

                                       Add in 1tbsp room temperature icecream and mix..

                                       Add the mixture in icecream and mix well..

    Crumble sponge cake and layer it in the bowl,.. Sprinkle with sugar syrup..

    Fill in icecream chocolate mixture and spread coarse praline on top.. Refrigerate for few hours and serve cold..