Lemons

You take for granted lots of stuff. 

People, of course. That is a given.

But foods that were always around and then you move 

and they are not common any more.

Lemons are one of those things for me. Silly. Lemons. 

You get used to using limes. 

But when the delivery of lemons hit the local grocery stores...watch out. 

Lemon Meringue Pie. Lemon Bars.

Tonight I made Lemon-Poppy Seed Tea Cake.

So good that I have to share the recipe. 

I picked it up over a year ago at Central Market in Shoreline, WA. 

I love and dream of Central Market often. 

There is another location in Mill Creek. Both are great. 

Oh, and I can't forget the first location in Poulsbo.

Here is the recipe. It is a keeper. 

I used my retired Longaberger Fluted Pan 

but two loaf pans would be great too.

Central Market's Lemon-Poppy Seed Tea Cake

3 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened 2 cups sugar Zest and juice of 2 large lemons 4 large eggs 3/4 cup whole milk 1/4 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons poppy seeds 1/4 cup powdered sugar (or more to taste)

Butter and flour two 9x5x3-inch loaf pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat butter, sugar and zest until light & fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, fully incorporating each egg before adding next. Whisk together milk, sour cream, poppy seeds and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. With mixer on low speed, add flour in thirds, then add half of milk, alternating so that first and last additions are flour. Fully incorporate each addition before adding next (flour, milk, flour, milk, flour). Pour into prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool for 10-15 minutes, then remove from pans. Stir together remaining lemon juice and powdered sugar (adjust sugar to taste). Poke top of cake all over with a skewer or cake tester. Brush with glaze. Cake keeps at room temperature for 2-3 days, or wrapped well and frozen for 1 month.