Southern Lemonade Food

GINA'S HOMEMADE LEMONADE

Steps:

• Make a simple syrup by adding the sugar and water to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over low heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
• Add a gallon of cold water and the lemon juice to a large glass pitcher. Add the simple syrup and the lemon slices. Stir well. Pour the lemonade into tall glasses filled with ice. Garnish the rims with lemon wedges and enjoy icy cold!

PERFECT LEMONADE

Steps:

• Remove wide strips of zest from 2 lemons with a vegetable peeler (do not remove the pith). Make 2 cups simple syrup (recipe below), adding the lemon zest before heating. Let cool, then pour into an ice-filled pitcher. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 cups each fresh lemon juice and water, and some lemon slices.
• Simple Syrup: To make 2 cups simple syrup, bring 1 1/2cups each sugar and water to a boil, stirring until dissolved. Let cool.

SOUTHERN-STYLE VANILLA LEMONADE

Steps:

• Cut the lemons in half and scoop the pulp into a blender. Add half of the rinds along with sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 cups of water. Blend until smooth, then strain into a serving pitcher and stir in the remaining water.

SOUTHERN LEMONADE

Steps:

• Squeeze the juice from 4 of each of the fruits; pour into a gallon container.
• Thinly slice the remaining fruit and set aside for garnish.
• Add water and sugar to juices; mix well.
• Store in the refrigerator.
• Serve on ice with fruit slices.

SOUTHERN LEMONADE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Rinse pieces of chicken in water, then roll damp chicken into seasoned flour. Brown in fat in a heavy skillet. Remove chicken and place in crockpot. Combine lemonade concentrate, brown sugar, ketchup and vinegar; mix well. Pour lemonade mixture over chicken. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW for 6 to 8 hours. Remove chicken from crockpot and cover to keep hot. Transfer liquid to saucepan over medium-low heat. Skim fat; add optional vegetables, combine cornstarch and cold water and add slowly to liquid, while stirring. The sauce will be thickened after it reaches a full rolling boil, when thickened, serve the chicken along with hot cooked rice. The vegetables will still be crisp-tender.
• It tastes a bit like sweet and sour chicken - always a hit with my 5 children - we double the recipe since we're a two chicken family now.

OLD-FASHIONED LEMONADE

Steps:

• Juice the lemons to make 1 cup of juice. To make your labor easier, FIRMLY roll the lemons between your hand and counter top before cutting in half and juicing.
• In a gallon pitcher combine 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup sugar, and 6 cups cold water. Stir. Adjust water to taste. Chill and serve over ice.