Lemons!

[pinto]

Out for a walk this AM. A neighbor up the block was out in his small front yard. He's in the middle of a re-landscaping project (switching to a more drought tolerant planting). Complimented on the look. He said, "Thanks. Hey do you like lemons? I've got a bumper crop and I need to pick them."

We went around to his back yard and sure enough a lemon tree was weighed down with fruit. Branches touching the ground from the weight. And they were Meyers! We live right on the edge of Meyer lemon range. Some do well, some don't make it. His was honking. A bumper crop. "Thanks Chuck". "You're welcome pinto. Stop back if you could use more".

Came home with enough to do lemonade, lemon iced tea, spiced lemon juice for a cocktail and some sort of lemon baked chicken. Sometimes I love this town...

Thought about making a lemon pie to re-gift but, duh, he's up to his eyeballs in lemons. I'll think of something else.

[LancetChick]

1. Meyer lemon vinaigrette is good too!

[pinto]

3. Good idea. Might do a lemon / red wine vinegar / oil / rosemary / thyme / honey baste.

For baked chicken today. With black pepper corns - sweet, savory, a little bite.

[cbayer]

2. Recent visitors brought me the coolest lemon squeezer.

It's easy, does a really thorough job and has a minimum of "squirt" out the side.



Enjoy your lemons, pinto!

[pinto]

4. I will. That squeezer looks good. What I use now is the 50's plastic cone thingy...

[japple]

5. You might print out the recipe for Meyer Lemon Marmalade

from Epicurious and give it to him. I've been making it for a few years, now and it is fabulous. It's even good to use as a glaze on roasted chicken, melted & brushed over a plain cake and, of course, on breakfast toast. Everyone who has gotten a jar from me raves about it, and I've had many request to buy jars of it.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Make lemoncello!

[Tab]

7. Lemon glaze

as for lemon chicken. Obviously a lemon meringue pie, if you're up to it. Mediterranean dishes that use lemons. Lemon cookies. Ferment it into some kind of lemon liquor (Lemoncello?) or lemon vodka. Grilled marinated shrimp. Lemon poppyseed dressing. Salty Chihuahua (lemon margarita). Lemon poppyseed muffins or lemon poppyseed bread! Roasted lemons!



Lemon sorbet! (oh please, please). Lemon Artichoke dip, and lemon hummus.

And if you still have lemons left over, PM me for shipping instructions (I'll pay shipping) for extra lemons.

[greatauntoftriplets]

8. Chicken kapama!!!

http://pamsmidwestkitchenkorner.blogspot.com/2012/01/chicken-kapama-greek-chicken-stew.html

[livetohike]

9. Lemon Cake!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/lemon-cake-with-lemon-filling-and-lemon-butter-frosting/

I haven't tried this, but if I had a ton of good lemons, I would

[Lucinda]

10. I am sooo jealous!

He might like the pie! Some people don't bake.

[pinto]

11. Thanks for the ideas all. Here's what I'm going to try as a gift for the neighbor -

Kiwi sorbet cups layered with candied lemon slices and a sliced strawberry on top.

I have ripe kiwis and strawberries on hand. The sorbet and candied lemon recipes look pretty simple (baking's not my forte). And who can't slice strawberries?

They have three kids, so I figure I'll make five sorbet cups in your basic clear plastic cups, include a spoon in each. Simple treat.

[The empressof all]

12. HA! I have a wealth of lemons today too

I'm making cream cheese lemon cookies. I'm leaving out the nuts and using whole wheat pastry flour

http://www.grouprecipes.com/74289/lemon-cream-cheese-cookies.html

akes 4 dozen
3/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 (3 ounces) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
1 Tablespoon lemon zest
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 cups cake flour
1 cup chopped pecans

How to make it

Cream together butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar and beat hard. Stir in vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Add flour, mixing well. Stir in nuts. Push small amount from spoon onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until delicate brown. While hot, roll in powdered sugar.