Preserved Lemons Recipe Barefoot Contessa Food

PRESERVED LEMONS RECIPE

Steps:

• Cut about 1/4 -inch of the top and bottom of the lemons. Cut each lemon into quarters part-way through so that they remain connected at the bottom
• Transfer the lemons to a large bowl and toss well with the salt and sugar. Open up the lemons some and stuff them with the kosher salt and sugar mixture. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight and up to 24 hours, the lemons will release some juice.
• The next day, transfer the lemons and their juices to a large sterilized canning jar. Press them down firmly into the jar. Add the pepper corns and bay leaves. Top with fresh lemon juice (your goal is to submerge the lemons in the juice).
• Seal the jar shut and store in the fridge for 3 weeks to 1 month before consuming.

QUICK PRESERVED LEMONS

Steps:

• Trim the ends off the lemons. Slice each lemon into 8 wedges, removing any seeds as you go. Reserve as much of the juice as possible.
• Layer the lemon wedges in a wide-mouthed 16-ounce canning jar, covering each layer with salt. Pack the jar as tightly as possible, pressing down to release the lemons' juice as you go and leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace in the jar.
• Cover the wedges with the reserved lemon juice from the cutting board and the ends. If your lemons do not release a significant amount of juice, top off the jar with the juice of another lemon.
• Stash in the refrigerator for 4 days, then flip the jar over and age another 4 days before sampling. The peel should be nice and soft. Rinse 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.

STRIPED BASS AND PRESERVED LEMON DRESSING WITH GRILLED CARROTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Season the skin side of the filet with the salt and pepper. Heat the oil in an oven-proof saute pan to medium high. When the oil is hot, add the fish, skin side down, and saute for one minute until a slight crust forms and the filet isn't sticking to the pan. Place the saute pan in the hot oven for 6 to 8 minutes until the flesh is firm and cooked through. Remove the saute pan from the oven and place it on the stove over medium-high heat. Add the butter, garlic, shallot, rosemary and thyme and baste the fish with the sauce. Remove the filet to a paper towel. Place a dollop of Preserved Lemon Dressing on a plate and place 3 to 4 Grilled Carrots on top of the dressing. Arrange the filet to the side of the carrots and garnish with the dill.
• Place the ingredients in a blender and blitz until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Cook's Note: To make homemade preserved lemons, submerge 6 Meyer lemons, quartered, in a quart of salt and a quart of sugar and water for 30 days.
• Peel the baby carrots and place them in a bowl. Add the salt, pepper and olive oil and toss together. Arrange the carrots on a baking sheet set over a sheet pan and broil them under a pre-heated salamander on high for 4 minutes, turning it down to low for a further 4 minutes. They are done when they are fork tender with a slight bite and have a nice roasted color.

FRESH LEMONADE

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients in a blender and process until completely smooth. Serve over ice.

QUICK 'PRESERVED' LEMONS

Steps:

• Dice lemons, including peel, removing as many seeds as possible. Put the lemons and their juice in a bowl and sprinkle with the salt and sugar; toss well and transfer to a jar. Let the mixture sit for at least 3 hours at room temperature, shaking the jar periodically. It can be served at that point or refrigerated for up to a week.

BAREFOOT CONTESSA'S FRESH LEMONADE

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients in a blender and process until completely smooth.
• Serve over ice.