They say that when life hands you lemons, you need to make lemonade. The Salt Chef‘s Beau de Toit and Craig Cormack think differently. They preserve them!
Since February pretty much marks the last month of summer, I thought we might as well make the most of it and sip the freshest citrus-infused water (when we’re not indulging in our favourite wines).
Lemons have valuable anti-inflammatory properties and promote heart health, so if your lemon tree is heavy with fruit, I say: Pick them and preserve them.
Courtesy of chefs Beau du Toit and Craig Cormack, here is a recipe that will allow you to preserve lemons and their juices for up to a year:
Preserved Lemons
An affordable, flavourful recipe that is easy to make.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Yield: 500ml jar
Ingredients
5 large lemons
¼ cup of salt
Instructions
Ensure you have a clean 500ml jar.
Add 1 Tbsp of salt to the bottom of the jar.
Juice two of the lemons.
Slice three of the lemons into quarters, but do not slice all the way through.
Gently open these three lemons and sprinkle them liberally with salt. Then, carefully push them back together.
Place one of the salted lemons in the bottom of the jar, then add 1 Tbsp of salt. Add the next lemon, followed by 1 Tbsp of salt and then finally the third lemon, followed by the 1 Tbsp of salt.
Add the juice from the two juiced lemons to cover the fruit.
Put the lid onto the jar and store the jar in a warm, dry place – not the fridge – and shake once daily for three to four weeks in order to distribute the salt evenly. Once you open the jar to enjoy the lemons, you will need to put it in the fridge to ensure no bacteria gets into the jar.
Preserved lemons and their juices are good for roughly one year.
What are the benefits of lemons?
- It’s a good source of Vitamin C, which is important for immunity, fighting infection and healing wounds.
- It’s also a source of Calcium, which helps with muscle function, hormone secretion, vascular contraction and more.
- Furthermore, the citrus fruit also has Potassium, which assists with the working of your muscles and nerves.
- According to UPMC’s Health Beat, Folate, which is also found in this fruit, fights against spinal birth defects and helps with red blood cell formation.
- Drinking lemon juice regularly is said to help prevent kidney stones, it aids in digestion (due to the soluble fibre, pectin), it helps regulate blood sugar and has proven to promote weight loss.
- Since it’s such a wonderful source of Vitamin C, it also improves your skin as it promotes collagen synthesis.
READ ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF MUSHROOMS HERE.
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