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Monday 23 January 2023

Lemons : Bring a touch of sunshine to your kitchen !


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.

Alternative
Try lime.
Above details from here


Lemon Poppy-Seed Soufflés
These low carb lemon poppy-seed soufflés are a light and moist keto treat, and/or a perfect dessert!
 
What You Need...
1 cup Whole-milk (full fat) Ricotta
2 large Eggs, separated
1/4 cup Erythritol
2 tsp. Lemon Zest
1 tbsp. Fresh Lemon Juice
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 tsp. Poppy Seeds
What You Do...
 see details here

Do you like to use lemons in your cooking/baking?
They bring a touch of sunshine to your kitchen, especially during the winter months

Some other lemon recipes you may like to try
Roast chicken with basil and lemon salsa, see details here
Red Lentil Soup with Lemon Yogurt, it's a vegetarian dish, see details here
Italian Lemon Cake, it's low carb, see details here

This blog brings a variety of articles and recipe ideas, and it is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan

36 comments:

Tom said...

...and they smell great!

Jeanie said...

Lemons might be my favorite fruit, certainly for cooking. I just bought a big bag of them yesterday so this post is very timely!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Lemon fan here

Creations By Cindy said...

Oh I do love lemon anything! The smell is so crisp and clean too. A friend gave me some off of her tree a few months back and they were so good. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Chatty Crone said...

I love lemons - they do bother my stomach a bit. I made a copy of the lemon chicken!

Kay said...

Oh what fun! We have two Meyer lemon trees in our yard but seldom use the fruit. My brother comes over often to collect them.

It's me said...

🍀🍋🍀🍋🍀🍋🍀💗happy new week love from me💗

Christine said...

Lovely lemons!

Lee said...

I always have a supply of lemons on hand. Every morning I squeeze one to join in with the oranges I juice...my morning routine.

happyone said...

I love anything lemon - that looks delicious.

Conniecrafter said...

Thanks for the info, I didn't know a lot of this!

peppylady (Dora) said...

Never heard of Lemon soufflés
Coffee is on and stay safe

J.P. Alexander said...

Gracias por la receta. Te mando un beso.

Elephant's Child said...

That lemon souffle sounds good.

Iris Flavia said...

Good reminder! I still have to cook some of Gennaro Contaldo´s recipes from his Lemon-book!

José Antonio Sánchez Rumí said...

Lemon is something we use a lot for meals, or flavor we like, its juice is delicious and its dressing is very healthy.
Best regards.

Jo said...

I love anything flavoured with lemon.

Hootin Anni said...

I love lemons. In all honesty, we don't use enough.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
I love anything made with lemons.
Take care, have a wonderful day!

roentare said...

That soufflé looks so puffy and gorgeous!

Valerie-Jael said...

Fresh lemons are wonderful. Have a great week, Valerie

CJ Kennedy said...

Lots of good info about lemons. Thanks for sharing.

Pam said...

I go through phases where I keep lemons and then some when I do not. I like to put them in my water.

R's Rue said...

That look delicious.

Bill said...

Lemons are great.

Carla from The River said...

I do enjoy the taste of lemon. :-)

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

I've never made a souffle but I bet this one is delicious.
To store I sometimes keep mine whole in water in a mason jar with lid, it seems to work quite well.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I love lemon flavor, especially with fish, and always keep some in my refrigerator. The souffle looks delicious!

Teresa said...

Una receta interesante, intentaré hacerla con mis limones del jardín. Besos.

Jenn Jilks said...

Lemons are wonderful!

Lorrie said...

Lemons add such brightness to so many dishes. The lemon souffle looks delicious!

Donna said...

Omggg...A lemon puffy Anything grabs my attention!!
Yummm!
hugs
Donna

David M. Gascoigne, said...

A squirt of citrus perks up any dish!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I always think it looks pretty to have a bowl of lemons in the kitchen but it's too warm here to leave them out. Thanks for the info!

William Kendall said...

That recipe sounds good.

Conniecrafter said...

My hubby loves lemons!