When Life Hands you Lemons...

...make Lemon Bars!  We had our last most recent (yep, just found out someone else is pregnant!) baby shower in the peds department last week...we love baby showers!  Isn't this cute?!

  I decided to take some lemon bars that are in my Southern Living Incredible Cookies book.  I wasn't so sure how they would turn out but they were great.  In fact, Bob, one of the chief residents this year, sent me a page saying they were the best thing he had eaten in a while!  Definitely shared the recipe with his wife so she could make more for him.

I did have to cook a bit longer than the recipe stated but that was due to using my baking stone pan (I have GOT to remember to "preheat" the pan!).  I just made simple bars, but the book recommends cutting them into fun shapes...hearts, flowers, etc.  This would be great...and would leave you with "unusable" scraps to snack on!  YES!  They tasted great with the perfect flaky crust and tart lemon filling.

What is my "lemon" right now?  Starting a month long stint on the night shift!  Yes, I will alternate between four and five day work week of 14 hour days nights. Me thinks I will be tired at the end of the month.  This is new for my program this year, all due to the new duty hour requirements by the ACGME...so far, I see NO benefit in the changes, but we shall see!  Oh, well.  I've got lemons...now I need to make more lemon bars... ;-) ... and trust that God will give me the energy and wisdom I need to best take care of my patients while also sharing His grace and love to those I meet!  Has life handed you some lemons?  Make these!  I promise...they're GREAT!

Lemon Bars from Southern Living Incredible Cookies
2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter/margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
5 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind (the zest...it's the best!)
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (6 tablespoons) lemon juice
powdered sugar to garnish

Preheat oven to 350.  Combine the flour, sugar, butter, and vanilla until well blended.  Pat into a 13 X 9 pan that has been greased.  Place pan in oven and bake for 18 minutes or until golden crust.

Combine sugar and cornstarch,  mix.  Add eggs, zest, and lemon juice; beat well.  Pour this over the baked crust.  Bake in the 350 oven for 20-25 minutes or until set (I had to bake about 30-35minutes).  Cool completely then chill.

When ready to serve, sift powdered sugar on top.  If desired cut into decorative shapes with cookie cutters.  Enjoy!!!