Sunday 21 February 2016

Lemons : So Handy When Cooking


Oval in shape, with a pronounced bulge on one end, lemons are one of the most versatile fruits around, and contain a high level of Vitamin C.

Although the juicy yellow flesh is a little too sour to eat on its own, its citrus fragrance and tartness means it's wonderful combined with all manner of ingredients and dishes, from the sweet to the savoury. The bright yellow skin can be used as well, when zested. A kitchen essential.

Availability:
All year round but at their best from January until March.

Choose the best:
Look for unblemished, firm lemons that feel heavy for their size and have no tinges of green (which indicates that they're under-ripe). Avoid very pale lemons, as they are older, and will contain less juice.

The best lemons for juicing or using for wedges are those with a smooth, thin skin. The best for zesting are those with a thicker, knobbly skin, which tend to be on the large size.

If you intend to use the zest, buy unwaxed lemons (shops should state this clearly). If you can't find them, scrub the lemons thoroughly before zesting.

Prepare it:
To extract the maximum amount of juice, make sure the lemons are at room temperature, and firmly roll them back and forth under your palm a couple of times - that helps to break down some of the flesh's fibres.

Alternatively, microwave lemons for around 30 seconds, depending on the size of the lemon - warming them up helps them give up more juice.

Store it:
In a perforated bag in the fridge (for a couple of weeks); in a fruit bowl (for around a week). Once cut, wrap in clingfilm and keep in the fridge for up to four days.

Cook it:
Serve fresh wedges or slices with fish or add to the pan when roasting veg or meat. Add the zest to salads, baking or sauces. Use the juice to make salad dressings, lemonade, de-glaze a pan or add a couple of drops to water to make acidulated water. Use the flesh and peel in marmalades and preserves. Halve and use to stuff a chicken before roasting.

Alternatives:
Try lime.

Above details from here
A lemon wedge goes great with low carb Crepes / Pancakes
see recipe here
Or how about a low carb lemon sponge cake

see recipe here

All the best Jan
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19 comments:

  1. Crafty Green Poet21 February 2016 at 14:44

    Lemons are delicious. My Mum used to make a wonderful 'lemon dainty' pudding that she never makes any more. I also love lemon meringue and lemon drizzle cake....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Karen21 February 2016 at 14:44

    It's citrus season here in So. Cal. My co-workers are bringing in key limes, mayer lemons, and navel oranges fresh off their trees.

    Enjoy the yumminess! I've been using mine in Tex-Mex beef-bell pepper, salsa, guacamole lettuce cups and on shrimp. So good!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dewena21 February 2016 at 14:58

    Lemons are my favorite have-to-have ingredient! A spritz of lemon juice makes almost everything better, don't you think?

    I always wondered though how long I could keep them cut in the fridge, so was glad to read 4 days here!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jo21 February 2016 at 16:02

    I love lemony flavoured things, especially lemon drizzle cake and it's my favourite pancake topping, along with a sprinkle of sugar.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous21 February 2016 at 17:24

    Lemons, limes, oranges, I love them all. A slice of lemon in a G&T, yes please.
    Interesting info,

    Thanks

    Jane:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lowcarb team member21 February 2016 at 18:03

    'CGP'
    My Dear Mum used to make the most wonderful lemon cake too ... happy memories.
    I also think the smell of lemons is just so good and wonderfully fresh!

    Many thanks for your comment

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lowcarb team member21 February 2016 at 18:05

    Karen
    Citrus season ... how wonderful.
    Love some lemon (or lime) in many of my LCHF dishes too!

    Thanks for your comment, all good wishes for the coming week ahead.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lowcarb team member21 February 2016 at 18:08

    Dewena
    A spritz of lemon juice ... is just wonderful.
    Glad you found some of the 'facts' included in this article of help - I found the microwave one interesting, haven't tried the tip yet though!

    Many thanks for your comment

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lowcarb team member21 February 2016 at 18:11

    Jo
    Like strawberries and cream ... lemons and pancakes just go together don't they.
    Lemon drizzle cakes are very popular, they go lovely with a cuppa!

    Thanks for your comment, hope your weekend celebrations went well, have a good new week ahead.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  10. Red Rose Alley21 February 2016 at 22:25

    Ooooo, I love anything lemon, Jan. This sponge cake looks YUMMY, so moist and fluffy. I've always wanted to grow a lemon tree, but now that we downsized there's no room in back. Lemons have such great health benefits too.

    Have a terrific week ahead, Jan.

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
  11. Martha21 February 2016 at 23:00

    Great tips, Jan! This house is never without lemons.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lowcarb team member21 February 2016 at 23:47

    Sheri
    It must be lovely to grow your own lemons, and pick them when ready.
    Some years back we had some apple trees, which always use to produce good fruit.

    The sponge cake featured is a lower carb version and is a favourite of ours.

    Thanks for your comments, all good wishes for the coming new week.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lowcarb team member21 February 2016 at 23:52

    Martha
    Yes, it's always a good idea to keep a supply of lemons, they are handy for so many recipe ideas.

    Many thanks for your comment

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  14. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes22 February 2016 at 01:19

    One of my favorite things. I always have lemons in my fridge, and I start most days with a cup of hot lemon water.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lisa23 February 2016 at 08:00

    The only way I really like lemon is in a lemon drizzle cake!
    If we have a slice with a drink then my daughter likes to take it and sucks out the juice in it, yucky!
    Lisa x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lowcarb team member23 February 2016 at 23:01

    Amy
    It's always a good idea to keep a supply of lemons, and they do keep well if stored correctly.

    Thanks for your comment - hope this new week is going well for you

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  17. Lowcarb team member23 February 2016 at 23:03

    Lisa
    Yes, many do like to suck the juice out of the lemon ... a personal choice!!
    Lemon drizzle cakes are very popular ...

    Many thanks for your comment

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  18. Debbie25 February 2016 at 15:11

    i have always wanted to grow lemons!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lowcarb team member25 February 2016 at 21:20

    Debbie
    It must be wonderful to live in a climate and be able to grow your own lemons ... they just add that little something to so many recipe ideas, and to be able to pick your own - how brilliant is that.

    Thanks for your comment - hope this week is going well for you - they go by so quickly

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete

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The best of health to you and yours.

Eddie