What is the first thing you think of when someone mentions lemons? Most will answer, lemonade. But lemons are great for much more than the summertime thirst quencher.
While lemons are grown year-round, this is the time of the year when they really shine.
The most recognizable variety found year-round is "Meyer" lemons. They are a hybrid variety with sweeter juice and are more prevalent mainly from November to March.
As a family, we eat many lemons, but we have found that lemons also serve as household cleaning and deodorizing remedy.
We like to keep a container of lemons sliced in the refrigerator for a refreshing addition to your ice water or put some in your water bottle for continuous refreshment.
One of our most favorite ways to use up lemons is Lemon Curd; A smooth and creamy, lemony spread makes an excellent filling for cakes and tastes divine as a spread on toast, scones, muffins, or bread.
This easy Lemon Curd recipe is super simple to make in less than 10 minutes and tastes delicious!
To start with, you'll need a 2-quart saucepan, a whisk, a fine mesh strainer for straining the lemon zest after cooking (but it's not a necessity), and a clean glass jar with an airtight lid to store the lemon curd.
**Please note that the eggs and butter need to be at room temperature.
INGREDIENTS
▢1/3 cup granulated sugar
▢1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
▢2 tsp lemon zest, finely grated
▢2 large eggs, room temperature
▢1/4 cup butter, room temperature
INSTRUCTIONS
In a small saucepan, combine sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and eggs.
Add the butter and cook over low heat, stirring continuously with a whisk. Keep going until the first bubble appears on the mixture's surface, and the curd is thick enough to hold marks of the whisk, about 6-8 minutes.
Strain the lemon curd through a fine-mesh strainer if you don't want the lemon zest in the curd. Transfer the hot lemon curd to a bowl or jar and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until cold and set, then take off the plastic wrap and replace it with a lid.
The lemon curd should keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
TIPS
If your lemon curd curdles, never fear, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve, and that will solve the problem.
I use a Microplane Zester to finely grate the lemon zest.
Ways to Use a Lemon in the kitchen and home:
High in citric acid, lemon juice is one of the best natural cleaners due to its low pH and antibacterial properties. Lemons smell fresh and aren't likely to damage other materials around, such as fabric or wood. However, there are mainly two things you can't clean with lemon juice, such as most natural stone on countertops and flooring and brass plated items. If in doubt, do a small spot test in an inconspicuous location.
Clean the microwave oven by placing lemon slices in a bowl of water and run the microwave for two minutes on high or until steaming. Allow to sit for at least five minutes before opening and wiping. It will help loosen the cooked-on food and freshen the scent.
Clean your wooden cutting boards by rubbing half a lemon on the board.
Remove stains from clothing by putting freshly squeezed lemon juice on the spot and placing it in the sun for several hours. If it's a stubborn stain, make a paste by mixing the lemon juice with baking soda and stirring in pinches of salt to make a paste and apply to the stains.
Make an all-purpose kitchen cleaner by squeezing an entire lemon into 2 cups of baking soda for a mild abrasion scrub.
Freshen the garbage disposal by dropping a few rinds down and running the disposal until it's been ground.
Scrub stubborn stuck-on food off dishes by rubbing the pulp side of the lemon on the food.
Clean and deodorize smelly plastic containers by soaking them with freshly sliced lemons and warm water for about an hour.
Use the same low abrasion scrub method, as mentioned above, for copper items, such as pots' copper bottoms.
Taking some lemon juice and an old toothbrush to scrub grout and try using lemon on removing shower door water spots.
Place a diluted solution of strained lemon juice in a spray bottle to clean laminate countertops. Rinse with water and dry afterward.
Lastly, for a zesty holiday room freshener, dry sliced lemons, oranges, and grapefruit peels by placing them in a warm and dry location for about a week. Once dry, add sticks of cinnamon, cloves buds, and anise to the mixture and place in a decorative bowl or sachet bag.
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