The lemon is one cheerful fruit. Its bright color, fresh scent, and refreshing taste make it hard to resist. It enlivens both sweet and savory dishes—from quick breads, bars, and tarts to fish, poultry, and grain dishes. (Try it in risotto!) Whether as a squirt in plain water or fruit juice or the focus of lemonade, it’s always a quencher. Lemon is even refreshing when used in make-it-yourself cleansers and room sprays. It’s one fruit you’ll want to have on hand all the time!
Flavor Profile
- Tart and acidic
- Astringent
- Refreshing
How to Choose a Good One
- Thin-skinned lemons are juicier than thick skinned
- Choose lemons that are firm and heavy for their size
- Peels should have finely grained texture
- Color should be yellow, with little or no green tinges (green indicates they are not fully ripened and are more acidic)
- Avoid wrinkling, soft or hard patches, dull coloring
- Store away from sunlight at room temperature for up to two weeks. Or store in refrigerator crisper for about four to six weeks
- Once cut, use as soon as possible
- One lemon contains about three tablespoons of lemon juice and three tablespoons of grated peel.hoose firm, straight, crisp leeks
- Necks should be white
- Leaves should be dark green
- Bulbs should have no cracks or bruises
- Very large leeks are more fibrous. Look for leeks that are less than 1 1/2 inches in diameter
- Store in refrigerator, unwashed and untrimmed, loosely wrapped in a plastic bag, for a week or two
- To prepare, cut off the root and cut leeks in half lengthwise. Rinse well between the leek sections
Peak Season
- May, June, and August
Nutritional Highlights
- Good source of folate and potassium
- Very good source of vitamin C
- Fully ripened lemons contain the most antioxidants
General Use
- Beverages
- Garnishes (tea, fish)
- Pies and tarts
- Cakes, cookies, bars, icings
- Curd, puddings
- Sorbet, sherbet
- Quick breads, muffins, scones
- Preserves
- Candies
- Risotto and other grain dishes
- Fish and poultry dishes
- Sauces
- Cleansing products
Complements
- Vanilla
- Almonds
- Powdered sugar
- Chicken
- Seafood
- Grains
- Mushrooms, broccoli, green beans, peas, asparagus, bell peppers
- Black pepper, garlic, paprika, basil, mustard, Cajun spice, thyme, rosemary, poppyseed, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg
- Sesame seeds
- Soy sauce, honey
- Oranges, limes, berries
