Lemon Tips
Cooking Tips:
When cooking with lemon juice, if possible, add it at the end of
the cooking time or after the dish has been cooked to minimize or
prevent the loss of vitamin C.
When cooking fresh vegetables, squeeze lemon juice on them to keep
their colors bright.
Prevent browning of fresh cut fruits and vegetables by dipping into
a mixture of 1 cup water and 1 tablespoon lemon juice or by
brushing fruits and vegetables with lemon juice.
One pound of lemons equals approximately 4 to 5 medium whole lemons
and 2/3 to 1 cup of juice. One medium lemon equals approximately 2
to 3 tbsp. of juice, 2 tsp. grated peel, and 7 to 10 slices.
If only a few drops of lemon juice are required, poke a toothpick
through the skin of a lemon and squeeze out the small amount
needed. Insert the toothpick back in the hole and place the lemon
in a plastic sealable bag. Refrigerate to use at another
time.
Another method that can be used to make lemons easier to extract
the juice is to freeze them for 24 hours and then thaw in the
refrigerator before juicing.
To prevent lemon wedges from squirting juice in unwanted areas,
pierce the flesh of the lemon wedge with a fork before
squeezing.
Cut down on the amount of salt used on your food by adding lemon
instead to enhance the flavor of the food.
For fluffier rice, add lemon juice to the cooking water.
Lemon juice can be used as a marinade to tenderize meat.
Use lemon juice in place of vinegar in salad dressings.
When serving lemon halves with fish, tie the lemon in cheesecloth
so that when the lemon is squeezed the juice will be extracted but
the seeds will remain in the cheesecloth.
Cleaning Tips:
For stains on Formica counter tops, squeeze enough fresh lemon
juice over the stain to cover it and let soak for 1/2 to 3/4 of an
hour. After soaking, sprinkle spot with baking soda and scrub
softly. Rinse with clean water and dry.
Clean copper items by sprinkling it with salt and then rubbing with
the cut end of half a lemon. Rinse and dry thoroughly with a soft
cloth.
Freshen vacuum cleaner bag by adding baking soda and lemon
peels.
Freshen garbage disposals by running leftover lemon peels through
the disposal and rinse with water.
Remove food stains and odors from hands by rubbing with a cut
lemon.
To remove laundry stains from whites, mix 1 part lemon juice to 1
part cream of tartar and apply the mixture to the stained area. Let
it stand for a few minutes and then remove with a wet sponge.
To remove rust from a surface, sprinkle the area generously with
salt and then squeeze fresh lemon juice over it. Allow this mixture
to sit for several hours (over night if necessary). The salt and
lemon juice mixture should draw out the rust stain from the
affected area.
For rust on washable clothing, apply salt and lemon juice to the
rust stained area and then place it outside in the direct sunlight.
Expose it to the sun until the stain disappears, keeping it moist
with lemon juice during this time. When the stain has disappeared,
brush the salt from the clothing and wash as you normally
would.
Health and Beauty Tips:
To use as a cough suppressant, mix 1 part lemon juice and 2 parts
honey. Do not give to children under the age of 1 year.
To soothe a sore throat, drink honey and lemon tea. It will have a
relaxing effect on the throat and will also help to suppress a
cough.
Ease the effects of the flu by drinking hot water with honey and
lemon added.
Lighten dark spot on the skin by applying lemon juice to the
darkened areas. Be careful applying lemon juice to the skin if it
will be exposed to the sun because it can cause the skin to be
photosensitive.
To create highlights in your hair, add 1/4 cup of lemon juice to
3/4 cup of water, apply to hair, and then sit in the sun.