Fresh Lemon Simple Syrup Food

LEMON SIMPLE SYRUP

Steps:

• Heat sugar, zest, and 2 cups water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil. Pour through a fine sieve into a medium bowl; discard solids. Let cool completely. Stir in lemon juice.

FRESH LEMONADE SYRUP

Steps:

• In a 1-1/2-qt. heat-proof container, dissolve sugar in boiling water. Cool. Add lemon juice and zest; mix well. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Yield: 5-1/2 cups syrup (number of batches varies depending on concentration of lemonade)., For 1 serving, combine 1/4 to 1/3 cup syrup and 3/4 cup cold water in a glass; stir well. For 16 servings, combine 5-1/2 cups syrup and 10 cups cold water in a 2-qt. pitcher; stir well.

FRESH FRUIT WITH LEMON VERBENA SIMPLE SYRUP

Steps:

• Simple syrup: combine the water and sugar in a small pan and bring to the boil.
• Boil mixture until it is reduced by half.
• Stir in the lemon verbena leaves. Set aside to allow verbena leaves to infuse and the mixture to cool completely.
• Salad: Prep the fruit and arrange on a large shallow platter.
• Once the simple syrup is cool, use a fine mesh strainer and drizzle the syrup all over the fruit.
• *Garnish fruit with a few fresh lemon verbena leaves. Or cover and chill until ready to serve.
• *Tip: fresh lemon verbena leaves wilt quickly. Garnish the fruit platter with freshly cut lemon verbena leaves [just] before serving.
• Yield is estimated.

FRESH LEMON CUPCAKES WITH LEMON SYRUP

Steps:

• To prepare oven, pan:.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray cups of 12 cup standard sized cupcake pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• To make batter:.
• Using a mixer, combine butter, sugar and lemon zest. Beat at medium speed for 5 minutes or until mixture is very light, pale and fluffy, stopping 2 or 3 times to scrape bowl. Into another bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside. One at a time, beat eggs into butter mixture until fully incorporated, stopping after each addition to scrape bowl. Beating continuously, add 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Beat until fully incorporated. On low speed, alternately beat in buttermilk and sifted flour mixture in 3 batches until fully incorporated.
• To bake cupcakes:.
• Spoon batter into muffin cups. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until deep golden brown and slightly firm to light touch. Insert toothpick into center of cupcake and comes out clean. Note: rotate pan 180 degress halfway through cooking.
• To make lemon syrup:.
• Put sugar and lemon juice in nonreactive saucepan. Stirring frequently, cook over med-high heat until sugar dissloves completely and mixture comes to a boil. Immediately reduce heat. Simmer briskly, stirring occasionally, until mixture has thickened to syrupy but still pourable consistency.
• To brush on lemon syrup:.
• Remove cupcakes from oven. Place on wire rack. Using thin skewer, poke holes all over hot cupcakes. Generously and repeatedly brush lemon syrup over cupcakes until they have soaked up as much syrup as possible. (Note: Any leftover syrup can be refrigerated and used to sweeten other desserts or iced tea.).
• To serve:.
• Serve cupcakes warm or at room temperature.

LEMON SYRUP

Steps:

• Heat lemon juice, water, sugar, lemon zest, and cornstarch in a pot over medium heat. Simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes; remove from heat.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes.
• Pour the lemon syrup into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top.
• Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles.
• Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Process jars in boiling water in a large pot for 10 minutes; remove jars from pot and allow to cool.
• Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight.

LEMON SYRUP

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderately low heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.
• Pour the syrup into a heatproof bowl and let cool to room temperature, then stir in 1 1/2 cups of fresh lemon juice.
• You may make ahead, the syrup keeps indefinitely.