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1
In a food processor grind the sugar and the zest until the zest is chopped fine and transfer the mixture to a large saucepan.
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2
Add 1/4 cup water, bring the mixture to a boil over moderate heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved, and boil the syrup for 5 minutes.
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3
Stir in the milk, the cream, and the salt and cook the mixture until it is hot, but do not let it boil.
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4
In a bowl whisk together the yolks and the whole eggs, add the hot milk mixture in a stream, whisking, and stir in the lemon juice.
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5
Strain the custard through a fine sieve into twelve 2/3-cup ramekins set in a large baking pan, add enough hot water the pan to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins, and bake the custards in the middle of a preheated 325F.
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6
oven for 40 minutes, or until they are just set.
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7
(Alternatively, the custard can be baked in the same manner in a 1 1/2-quart shallow baking dish for 1 hour, or until it is just set.)
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8
Remove the ramekins from the pan, let the custards cool completely, and chill them, covered loosely with wax paper, for at least 3 hours.
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9
The custards may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled.
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10
In a small saucepan combine the sugar with 1/3 cup water and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
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11
Boil the syrup until it registers 248F.
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12
on a candy thermometer and remove the pan from the heat.
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13
While the syrup is boiling, in a bowl with an electric mixer beat the whites with a pinch of salt until they hold soft peaks.
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14
With the mixer running add the hot syrup in a stream, beat the meringue on medium speed until it is cool, and beat in the lemon juice.
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15
Transfer the meringue to a pastry bag fitted with a star tip, blot the top of the custard dry with paper towels, and pipe the meringue decoratively onto it.
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16
Sprinkle the meringue with the dragees, transfer the custards to a large baking pan filled with ice, and bake them in the top third of a preheated 450F.
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17
oven for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the meringue is golden.
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18
The lemon meringue custards may be made 3 hours in advance and kept in the large baking pan filled with more ice.
