LOVE YOUR LEMONS

FROM ISSUE # 186 (June 2011) | IN THIS ISSUE
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Although lemons may not be what you would think while talking about super foods, we consider them powerhouses for their many benefits.

Lemons contain unique flavonoid compounds that have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, one of the most important antioxidants in nature. Vitamin C is vital to the function of a strong immune system. The immune system's main goal is to protect you from illness, so a little extra vitamin C may be useful in conditions like colds, flu's, and recurrent ear infections.

A Few Quick Serving Ideas
If you are watching your salt intake (and even if you are not), serve lemon wedges with meals as their tartness makes a great salt substitute.

Place thinly sliced lemons, peel and all, underneath and around fish before cooking. Baking or broiling will soften the slices so that they can be eaten along with the fish.

Combine lemon juice with olive oil, freshly crushed garlic and pepper to make a light and refreshing salad dressing.

Squeeze some lime juice and a little bit of chat masala onto a bowl of fresh fruit to instantly have a healthy snack.

Drink a glass of freshly squeezed lemons with warm water first thing in the morning if you are looking to lose weight.

Tangy and sour, lemons add that necessary zing to almost every dish, savoury or sweet, think lemon meringue pie. Also an important ingredient in many drinks and cocktails.

Even today, in most places in the Terai, you will be offered a refreshing glass of cold lemonade, not the easily available aerated drinks, during the hot summer months. Make a refreshing glass like this
Take a big jug, squeeze in the lemons, add water, some sugar or black salt, stir like mad, strain, put in the fridge to cool, or add tons of ice, drink. Aaaahhh Bliss!

Lemony facts
Lemons keep for 8 to 10 days at room temperature, longer in a fridge and can be frozen for up to 6 months.

Freeze fresh juice in ice cube trays, loses none of its potency when defrosted.

To get the most juice from a lemon, soak it for a few moments in warm water, roll on a hard surface and squeeze.

Juicy lemons yield 2-3 teaspoons of juice.

If you want just a few drops, pierce the lemon with a skewer and squeeze.

Small lemons with thin skins give you more juice than those with thick skins.

Buy organic lemon. If possible, or scrub with a small brush to remove any chemical residue.

Once peeled or grated, use the lemon right away as they quickly turn mouldy.