The sweet, tangy flavour of a lemon works in both sweet and savoury dishes and even just a squeeze can bring all of the flavours in a dish to life. A good cook will always have a few lemons on hand. Here are 10 great ways to indulge in the winter lemon abundance.
1. Get baking
Lemons bring just the right amount of sweetness and tart to baking. Create delicious loaves, muffins, biscuits, slices and cakes and, in some instances, you can take things up a notch with a drizzle of lemon syrup or a sprinkling of zest.
- Mouthwatering Sour Cream Lemon Syrup Cakes by Celia Haye
- For the Gluten intolerants try our Gluten-free lemon cake.
- This Yoghurt Lemon Syrup Loaf will be a hit with the whole family.
- And who doesn't love a melting moment?
2. Tart it up
Sweet pastry and a creamy, citrusy filling come together to make lemon tart - a dessert-lovers delight. There are many variations of this classic dessert and Peter Gordon has some tips on how to achieve the perfect lemon tart filling.
- This Deep lemon tart with raspberries and citrus syrup will have the family drooling.
- For a more restrained portion try these Individual lemon tarts.
- And Peter Gordon's lemon tart is not to be missed.
3. Hot puddings
Infusing winter puds with the tangy flavour of lemons cuts through the richness and gets tastebuds tingling with anticipation.
- These delicious Individual lemon puddings will make your tastebuds tingle
- Enjoy these Lemon surprise puddings as soon as they come out of the oven
4. Make marmalade
Peter Gordon recommends making a lemon marmalade with any excess lemons. Like other citrus favourites (orange and grapefruit), lemon marmalade can be used in a variety of baking recipes such as steamed puddings and cakes, although nothing beats a slather on hot-buttered toast or scones.
5. Bottle them up
Bottling allows you to enjoy lemons well beyond their season. It's a simple and satisfying process. Jo Elwin has perfected the art of preserving lemons, and Peter Gordon has some handy tips to add. Angela Casley's recipe for pickled lemon lamb tackles the process also.
6. Curd, and 3 ways to enjoy it
Making your own homemade lemon curd is easy and cost-effective. You'll get the best results by taking Nigel Slater's advice and using top quality ingredients... fresh butter, organic free-range eggs and juicy lemons from the tree.
- This recipe for Plum trifle with Stolen rum and lemon curd tastes just as good as it looks!
- This Lemon roulade with lemon curd cream is a perfect way to end a dinner party.
- You'll love this super easy Lemon curd trifle.
7. Cool treats
No need for fancy ice-cream machines with these three quick and simple frozen lemony desserts.
- Cool down quick with this Lemon and yoghurt ice-cream.
- Cleans the palette with a Lemon frozen parfait.
- And you'll be reminiscing about Rome with this Lemon gelato with caramelised mandarins.
8. Drink it up
Lemons are nutritional powerhouses and a great way to enjoy them is as a quenching drink. The kids will enjoy homemade lemonade, or make classic lemon cordial. If you're in need of an immunity boost, Warren Elwin's therapeutic lemon-aid will help you sleep better, flush out toxins and improve your general wellbeing. For cocktail hour try homemade limoncello.
9. Pair it with chicken
Lemon and chicken are great mates. Try one or two of these for dinner this week.
- Try Lemon chicken with olives for a new twist in a family classic.
- A perfect pairing in this Rosemary and lemon chicken.
- Impress your friends with this Butterflied lemon chicken.
- And for a perfect meal for two try this Pan-roasted lemon chicken.
10. Oils and dressings
Lemon juice delivers the acidic component to citrus vinaigrettes commonly used to dress a green or tomato salad, as well as seafood. Drizzle an easy lemon mayonnaise over fish, potatoes or eggs for a little creaminess. Aaron Brunet's cashew aioli dip (served with baked parsnips in this recipe), is a refreshing contrast to dairy-based dips, and here's a simple way to make lemon-infused olive oil