10 Ways You Should Be Using Lemons Besides Squeezing Them Into Your Water
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All hail the king of citrus, the small yet mighty yellow lemon. Many of us squeeze them into glasses of water daily, hoping to absorb the bounty of benefits this superfood provides the human body. But there are so many other ways we can integrate lemon juice and lemon zest in our diets to reap the same benefits, as well as keep our taste buds interested in what’s on our plates. Below are just 10 ideas for jazzing up any meal and enjoying a nice blast of citrus flavor.
1. Top your morning oats with lemon zest.
Lemon poppy seed oatmeal? Yes, please. Lemon cream pie overnight oats? Come to mama. Even if you just create the classic lemon and blueberry flavor combination, you’ll be good to go with a super refreshing and energizing breakfast in minutes.
2. Add lemon juice to your favorite smoothie.
The tang of this little yellow fruit does a surprisingly good job of cutting the bitterness that comes along with a lot of super-green smoothie recipes. And, of course, it pairs perfectly with any summer berry or tropical fruit.
3. Fold some lemon juice and zest into your brunch pancake batter.
A tall stack of lemony pancakes coming right up! The citrus zing complements the sweetness of maple syrup so well that you’ll certainly come back for seconds. Plus, it’s a great way to give heavier carbs a light and refreshing lift.
4. Make your own lemon vinaigrette.
A lemon-heavy vinaigrette dressing works for virtually any salad recipe without adding a ton of sugar and calories like other ingredients do. Pro tip: throw in some grated Parmigiano Reggiano to really have a party with your plate of greens.
5. Swap the lime for lemon in your classic guacamole recipe.
We know, it’s a crazy suggestion, but don’t knock it ’til you try it. The citrus keeps the avocado extra fresh, but alters the dish’s flavor profile in a subtle yet important way. Think less sweet, more acidic and excellent with fresh tortilla chips.
6. Add lemon juice and zest to your favorite meat or fish seasoning.
Ditch that store-bought, pre-ground lemon pepper medley and give the real thing a try. It’s hard to beat freshly ground pepper, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a sprinkling of lemon zest when it comes to grilling super fresh meat, seafood and shellfish.
7. Toss a little lemon juice over al dente pasta.
No offense, but olive oil or butter get boring without a little something extra. And a small amount of lemon juice goes a long way when it comes to adding flavor to a classic pasta dish. If you really want to up the ante, add some garlic, too, while you’re at it.
8. Throw some lemon juice into your favorite broth.
Chicken soup is every mother’s cure for a common cold and lemon water helps heal a sore throat, so why not combine the two for a true health powerhouse? Plus, citrus pairs really well with a savory chicken flavor. You’ll want to use this broth for everything.
9. Sprinkle freshly-roasted veggies with lemon juice and lemon zest.
Okay, so you haven’t had roasted vegetables until you’ve squeezed a half a lemon over the entire pan and seasoned the goodies with salt and pepper — especially when it comes to asparagus. Talk about a meal makeover. Once you try them this way, you won’t turn back.
10. Make lemon the star ingredient of your dessert.
Man, where do we even start here? Whether you’re obsessed with cupcakes, custards, tarts or crumbles, lemon does a fantastic job in each of these favorites. Enjoy the perfect balance of sweet, tart and smooth that can curb virtually every craving.
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