101 uses for... a giant lemon!

hamster · Post: # 54385Post **hamster** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:04 pm

Well, a larger-than-average lemon at least. My boyfriend's sisters brought it back from Italy for me and I want to do something special with it - or at least something a bit more interesting than marinading chicken in the juice and putting slices in Earl Grey. It's about the size of 2 1/2 normal lemons probably, and ideally I'd like to use the zest and the juice. Does anyone have any funky ideas for it?!

Milims · Post: # 54387Post **Milims** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:09 pm

Slice it and freeze it for your gin and tonic!!! Obviously you will need a lot of gin and tonic to accommodate such a large lemon - please could your friend send me one too!!

They are also really good for cleaning with - put a slice in some hot water in your microwave for a minute and then wipe it out. The steam and lemon juice cuts thru the grease brilliantly. Shame to use it this way when you have the g&t option!!

pskipper · Post: # 54393Post **pskipper** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:49 pm

juice it and grate the peel, mix this with oatmeal, tarragon and a little white wine and cook, this makes a fantastic stuffing to go with fish or chicken.

Shirley · Post: # 54395Post **Shirley** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:20 pm

When life (or your boyfriend's sister) gives you lemons... make lemonade

Lemon curd?
moroccan style salted lemons

cat · Post: # 54399Post **cat** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:55 pm

Limoncello

red · Post: # 54403Post **red** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:18 pm

I love limoncello!! - do you have a recipe?

ah a quick google as revealed lots of recipes.. and it never occured to me to make it!!

cat · Post: # 54404Post **cat** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:21 pm

lovely isn't it?
Do you keep a bottle in the freezer, too?

red · Post: # 54405Post **red** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:31 pm

never managed to *keep* a bottle of it at all.. it seems to vanish!
slurp!

gonna make some now.. looks a doddle.

cat · Post: # 54406Post **cat** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:38 pm

You drink a bottle all in one go!

It's served from the freezer here. But as you say, it doesn't "keep" long

red · Post: # 54409Post **red** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:25 pm

well what happens is i buy a bottle for an occasion... like having friends around for a bbq.... then i have an empty bottle ...

keeping it in the freezer is a great idea tho...

hamster · Post: # 54910Post **hamster** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:49 pm

I got wildly excited by the limoncello idea, until my boyfriend pointed out that they'd also brought back a large bottle of the stuff!

So I made a cheesecake, using all the juice and zest, and made the base from ginger biscuits. It's still chilling atm, but the spoonfuls of mixture I ate were very promising...

Thanks for the suggestions!

Andy Hamilton · Mon Apr 23, 2007 10:10 am

Missed it, I was going to suggest getting two plastic bowls one slightly bigger than the other. Place slices of lemon around the edges between the two bowls , then slowly fill with water and carefully put in the freezer.

When you take it out of the freezer put it on a deep tray and fill with gin and tonic for a party. Looks funky and keeps the drinks cool also it means people have to drink them quickly before it melts, thus getting the party started.

hamster · Post: # 54995Post **hamster** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 7:16 pm

Ah, wow! That would have been amazing!

Next time, next time...

thefriarandme · Thu Apr 26, 2007 6:03 pm

What is limoncello?

cat · Post: # 55355Post **cat** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 6:07 pm

lemon liqueur, a bit like lemon vodka, served straight out of the freezer here, lovely!