Cooking With Lemons:Healthy Flavor Enhancement

Lemons are a healthy flavor enhancement for all kinds of  recipes.  The lemon’s juice is a rich source of Vitamin C and B12. And has powerful antioxidant properties. Cooking with lemons provides a healthy flavor enhancement. And lemons support weight loss, reduce diabetes, and even freshen your breath!

Lemons also give your immune system a boost and detoxify your body.

Here’s some recipes that will add that fresh citrus zing to your day.

Lemon Recipes

Lite Lemon Pie

1 (3 oz.) pkg. sugar-free lemon Jell-O mix 

1 cup boiling water 

½ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice 

1 (8 oz.) pkg. Philadelphia cream cheese 

1 cup agave 

1 tsp. vanilla 

12 oz. sugar-free Cool Whip 

2 graham cracker crust pie shells 

2 lemon slices

Directions: Mix Jell-O, water and juice together. Set aside to cool. In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese, agave and vanilla, then fold it into the Jell-O mixture. Gently fold in the Cool Whip. Place the mixture into the prepared pie shells. Garnish the pies with a dollop of whipped topping and a lemon slice. Refrigerate before serving.

Lemon-Grape Marinated Steak

1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice 

1/4 cup grape juice 

1/4 cup olive oil 

2 crushed cloves of garlic 

½ teaspoon turmeric (optional)

1 teaspoon of black pepper 

I teaspoon of sea salt

1 boneless flank steak (2-2 ½ lbs)

Directions: Salt and pepper your steak. In a mixing bowl, mix together the marinade ingredients (lemon juice, grape juice, olive oil, and garlic).  Place the steak in a large  zip-lock plastic bag. Pour marinade over meat, seal the bag and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for two to four hours. When you remove the steak from the bag,  sear it on a hot grill to lock in the flavor. You can cook in the oven at 400 degrees or use your outdoor grill to cook the meat till it’s done.

Use your leftover marinade as a delicious steak sauce. 

Avocado/Lemon Salsa

2 avocados cut into cubes 

1 cup chopped green bell pepper 

1 cup chopped tomatoes (with the juice) 

½ cup lemon juice 

½ cup diced red onion

Directions: In a medium bowl, add in all the ingredients. Stir well. Set aside for 15 minutes. Can be served with any Mexican food combination or as a side dip for taco chips.

Lemon-Garlic Butter Mushrooms

24-30 mushrooms 

½ cup un-melted butter 

2 cloves minced garlic

2 minced shallots 

½ cup minced parsley 

½ cup lemon juice (juice from one large lemon) 

1/2 tsp. sea salt 

1/4 tsp. pepper

Directions: Thoroughly clean the mushrooms. Remove the stems. In a small bowl, combine butter, shallots, garlic and parsley. Add lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir until blended well. Marinade for ½ hour.

Place mushrooms in a shallow baking dish. Fill each mushroom with a dollop of garlic butter mixture. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Serve as a side dish or as an entrée.

Healthy Lemon Water

When making lemon water, or lemonade only use fresh lemons. Squeeze 1/2 a lemon for every 8 ounces of filtered water. 

If you want to infuse a little extra flavor add some mint. Or if you are very adventurous add a teaspoon of raw honey and a dash of cinnamon.

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