Preserved Lemons And Limes Food

PRESERVED LEMONS, LIMES, AND ORANGES

Steps:

• First, cut off the stem and tail of each piece of citrus.
• Next, slice each piece of citrus twice, 3/4 of the way down from the tops making an X. Do not cut all the way through. (Watch the video to see how to make the slices.)
• Take the first jar, and sprinkle about a tablespoon of salt on the bottom.
• If you want to add any herbs or spices, place them at the bottom of the jar. (Watch the video for an example.)
• Starting with the lemons, fill the cavity of each lemon, one at a time, with salt, and then place the lemon to form a layer into the first jar. After each layer of lemons is placed into the jar, squeeze them in as tight as possible and sprinkle them with salt before proceeding to add the next level of lemons. Repeat the process until you can fit as many lemons as possible in the jar. Be sure to press down on each layer of lemons as you fill the jar. After you have completed filling the jar with lemons, put a lid on the jar.
• While you were packing the jar, the lemons should be releasing juice to be covered with lemon juice. If they are not completely covered, wait a few days. When you check on them, if they are not yet covered with lemon juice, you can add additional lemon juice to make sure all the lemons are submerged under the juice.
• Store jar in a pantry or cupboard, out of direct sunlight, for 30 days.
• Repeat this process with the limes and the mandarin oranges.
• After 30 days, transfer preserved citrus jars to the refrigerator. The preserved citrus will last up to six months while refrigerated.

SALTED PRESERVED LEMONS

Steps:

• In a bowl mix the spices into the sea salt. Cut a cross into the lemons -- almost to the base, but so that the quarters stay together. Push the seasoned salt into the lemon segments and pack the lemons as tightly as possible into an airtight jar. The less space there is between the lemons the more attractive it will look and you won't need to use so much salt. The lemons will be ready after one month of preserving, and will last for about 2 years. Tips:The peel is edible This also works very well with limes You could preserve oranges like this too -- but there are not so many recipes which use them You must use sea salt not table salt -- table salt is too chemical and harsh
• Uses:For seasoning rice and couscous -- it works like salt and makes the rice and couscous lemon scented Put chicken/fish into a foil bag and bake with the lemon salt Use to season stews and soups ;

PRESERVED LEMONS

Steps:

• 1. If you wish to soften the peel, soak the lemons in lukewarm water for 3 days, changing the water daily.
• 2. Quarter the lemons from the top to within 1/2 inch of the bottom, sprinkle salt on the exposed flesh, then reshape the fruit.
• 3. Place 1 tablespoon salt on the bottom of the mason jar. Pack in the lemons and push them down, adding more salt, and the optional spices between layers. Press the lemons down to release their juices and to make room for the remaining lemons. (If the juice released from the squashed fruit does not cover them, add freshly squeezed lemon juice - not chemically produced lemon juice and not water.*) Leave some air space before sealing the jar.
• 4. Let the lemons ripen in a warm place, shaking the jar each day to distribute the salt and juice. Let ripen for 30 days. To use, rinse the lemons, as needed, under running water, removing and discarding the pulp, if desired - and there is no need to refrigerate after opening. Preserved lemons will keep up to a year, and the pickling juice can be used two or three times over the course of a year.
• According to the late Michael Field, the best way to extract the maximum amount of juice from a lemon is to boil it in water for 2 or 3 minutes and allow it to cool before squeezing.
• Paula Wolfert shares her tips with Epicurious:
• •Located on Morocco's Atlantic coast, south of Casablanca and north of Essaouira, the city of Safi is known for its seafood specialties. •To most closely approximate the flavor of Moroccan lemons, Wolfert recommends Meyer lemons for this recipe. This lemon/mandarin orange hybrid, in season in January and February, has yellow-orange flesh, a smooth rind, and a sweeter flavor than other lemons. •To sterilize a mason jar for the lemons, place it upside down in a steamer and steam for 10 minutes. Using tongs (wrap the ends in rubber bands for a better grip), remove the hot jar and dry it upside down on a paper towel-lined baking sheet in a warm oven. To sterilize the jar's top, boil it in water for 5 minutes, then remove with tongs. For more information on home canning, click here. •When you're ready to use a lemon, remove it with clean utensils to avoid contaminating the inside of the jar with bacteria. This way, the remaining contents of the jar will not need to be refrigerated.

PRESERVED LIMES

Steps:

• Rinse limes; pat dry. Cut off ends and upend on a cut side. Make 2 perpendicular slits lengthwise into fruit to form an X, cutting only three-fourths of the way down. Pack lots of salt into slits and place limes into jar, pressing to compact and release juices. Seal jar; let limes sit at room temperature 12 hours. Uncover and press firmly again to compact. Repeat once or twice daily until limes are softened and submerged in juices, 2-3 days. (If there is not enough juice to submerge limes after 3 days, add fresh lime juice to cover.) Chill 1 month before using.
• Limes can be preserved 6 months ahead. Keep chilled.

PRESERVED LEMONS AND LIMES

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and drop in the lemons and limes. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. Drain. Combine the salt and lemon juice and pour a little in the bottom of a glass jar. Add the lemons and limes to the jar and pour in the remaining salt mixture. Seal tightly. Let stand for seven days, shaking the jar each day to redistribute the salt mixture. Rinse the salt off the lemons and limes before using.

PRESERVED LEMONS

Steps:

• Wash 10 of the lemons thoroughly and dry them completely (reserve the remaining 3 to 4 lemons for juicing). Cut off about 1/4 inch from the tip of the 10 lemons, then cut them almost all the way into quarters, keeping the ends attached.
• Mix the sugar and 3/4 cup salt in a small bowl. Gently open each quartered lemon, use a small spoon to fill it with the salt mixture and close it back up. Place the lemons and remaining salt mixture in a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours and up to overnight. After this time, the lemons will have released some of their juices and become squishy.
• Transfer the salted lemons and oregano if using to a sterilized quart glass jar with tight lid, pressing them tightly into the jar; you want as little space between the lemons as possible. Squeeze enough juice from the reserved lemons (about 3/4 cup) to fill the jar with lemon juice. You may need more or less juice, depending on the size of the lemons.
• Refrigerate the lemons, turning the jar upside down every few days and then placing it back in the refrigerator right-side up, until the rinds are soft, 3 to 4 weeks. You can keep the preserved lemons in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

PRESERVED FRESH LEMONS

Steps:

• Soak the lemons in water for 2 to 3 days, changing the water 2 - 3 times, once a day.
• Pat the lemons dry and quarter them from the top to just above the bottom, about 1/2" - leaving them in one piece.
• Open up the lemons slightly, and sprinkle the sea salt onto the cut flesh - reshape them afterwards, so they look whole again.
• Place half the remaining salt in the bottom of a large Sterilising jar; I use 1.5 litre Kilner jar for this amount.
• Pack the lemons in and add the bay leaf and spices amongst the lemons.
• Add the remaining salt & press down to release the lemon juice from the lemons.
• Pour over the lemon juice - it's difficult to say exactly how much, but the last time I made these, I used about 500mls of unsweetened lemon juice; and in the past, I have used between 6 & 8 fresh lemons, squeezed - depending on the juiciness & size of lemons!
• Seal and leave for at least one month; these will last up to 6-10 months in ideal conditions, dark & cool.
• When you come to use the lemons, make sure you rinse them thoroughly beforehand.
• IDEAS: Chop them up finely and add to baked fish dishes; put a whole lemon in to the cavity of a chicken to roast - take it out when cooked, and chop up finely and add to any gravy or sauce; Cut into quarters and add to tagines & stews; finely dice a lemon and add to sauces and stocks for stews & crockpot recipes -- the list is endless!

PRESERVED LEMON & LIME SQUEEZES

Steps:

• Juice 2 whole lemons or limes and keep the juice, skins and pulp. Cut all the fruit you're using into equal-sized chunks. Layer the lemon and lime pieces with 75g flaky sea salt in a sterilised 500g jar. Pour in the juice to cover the shells, adding a few tbsp boiled cooled water to top up if needed. Press down well to remove any trapped air. Seal, shake, then add more salt if needed as some dissolves into the juice.
• Mature in the fridge for at least 1 month, shaking every day for the first week, then every few days after that. The preserved lemons and limes are ready when the white pith has turned translucent. Use only the rind part of the fruit when you cook.

HOW TO FREEZE LEMONS OR LIMES

Steps:

• Quarter lemons and place in single layer on cookie sheet. Place in freezer until frozen. Place in ziplock bag and remove as needed. Lemons can be frozen whole but they will be mushy when defrosted although the juice will be fine.
• You can also freeze lemon slices the same way.
• The juice can be frozen in ice cube trays for use layer as well as the zest.