Higgs Boson wrote:
On Sep 6, 10:36 pm, "David Hare-Scott" wrote:
David E. Ross wrote:
The problem with dwarf oranges is that they do not have a large
enough crop. I could eat twice as many as my little tree produces.
On the other hand, even a dwarf lemon tree produces far more lemons
than anyone can use. See my
http://www.rossde.com/cooking/lemon_marmalade.html for a recipe
for lemon marmalade. Last year, I had enough lemons for this recipe,
lemons to give away, and lemons to juice for my wife to use in
cooking. We also have a large plastic bag of lemon zest in the
freezer.

We have three lemon trees and aside from freezing zest and juice we
make lemon cordial, much more flavour than the commercial kind,
cheaper and keeps well without refrigeration. A great drink for a
hot day with cold water or soda. We did have a guest who liked the
flavour but wouldn't eat the zest and fruit pulp, tossing 1/5 of
each glass down the drain. tsk tsk.

D

I have an old lemon tree that keeps on producing like the Energizer
Bunny. It was about the first thing I planted when I bought the house
long ago. Since I put lemon on just about everything, I am saving a
load of $$$ over what lemons cost in the market. I also give away a
lot.

How do you make lemon cordial?

TIA

HB

You can adapt this to suit the number of lemons and bottles that you have.
Discard any rotten fruit then wash, drain and zest the lemons, making sure
only the yellow zest is collected. Then juice them, measuring the juice as
you go, if some pulp goes through the juicer I leave it in but you can
strain it out if you prefer. Put the juice and zest in an enamel or SS
saucepan and bring it to the boil. Stir in the same volume of white sugar
as juice, return to the boil, then boil gently stirring occasionally for 15
minutes. Bottle in clean glass bottles with good lids, stirring as you go
so each gets some zest. It will keep at room temperature for months. If
you like it more tart use less sugar, say 3/4 or 2/3, it will still keep
well.

To serve shake the bottle and dilute to taste (this is stronger than
commercial cordial) with cold soda water or cold water in the glass, stir
and top with a fresh slice of lemon: instant lemonade. Also yummy on
vanilla icecream undiluted.

D