Lemons are underrated. Sure, they are good for ya. There is a good amount of vitamin C, that’s for sure. But did you know how many dishes would benefit from a little lemon? Many times, a dish seems under seasoned, and it needs “something” to take it to the next level. Well, have you thought of adding a little acid? A little lemon? Perhaps some juice of a fresh lemon or perhaps the zest of one.
Lemons add a delicious, citrusy punch to everything from salad dressings to cocktails. Pick lemons that are firm and are bright yellow. Those are the ones you want. And here are some ways to add lemon to your dishes to boost your food’s flavor!
- Lemon juice instead of vinegar: Lemon juice can be used in marinades, salad dressings and sauces in place of vinegar to give them a more tangy, fresh flavor. (You need to be careful though – marinading with lemon for too long can start breaking down proteins in meat and will just toughen the meat up.)
- Ever squeeze some lemon juice on fish? You GOTTA. You can use lemon in a marinade or sprinkle some lemon juice onto your fish right before you serve it.
- Lemon juice in soups. I’m not kidding. I add a little lemon juice to chicken noodle soup (at the end) and BOOM. It elevates the flavors of the soup. Try it!
- Lemon juice brightens up vegetables: Pour some lemon juice over steamed or roasted vegetables to give them a bright, tangy flavor. Your vegetables will go from good to fabulous!
- And of course, lemon is popular in certain desserts and most people have heard, read or even tasted a dessert with lemon in or on it. I like lemon in my blueberry scones! Lemon bars. Pastries, pies and cookies taste better when you add some lemon to the mix. Did I mention scones?
Lemon zest adds flavor to your dishes. Zest is the grated peel of the fruit. Use a zester/grater or a micro plane: do not take too much of the peel off – just enough to see a bit of the white underneath the yellow layer (called the pith, which is bitter tasting. Meh!). That zest contains oils and more flavor than the lemon juice inside, believe it or not. And it’s not as tart.
And I can’t forget to mention Limoncello! My in-laws got me drinking this stuff (they make it homemade!) and every now and then I like a sip or 2 of this lovely lemon drink!
Adding lemon to your dishes is a game changer. Lemon juice or lemon zest enhances the flavors already in your dish, adding a sweet note that makes you want to take a second and third bite. Do you use lemon in YOUR cooking? If you do, I’d love to hear about it! Share your recipes where you use lemon! I need to know!
