Tag: LEMONS

CHICKEN FRANCESE ~ BLOG 366.292

Chicken is a blank canvas. You get to decide what style or flavor to paint it with.

CHICKEN FRANCESE
CHICKEN
2 extra LARGE boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved lengthwise to make 4 chicken steaks
1/3 cup flour
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 SMALL eggs
1 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoons avocado oil

  • Preheat oven to 200°.
  • Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Generously season chicken steaks with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Whisk together the eggs and milk in shallow bowl.
  • Dredge chicken breasts in flour.
  • Dip chicken breasts in egg mixture.
  • Dredge again in seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
  • Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add chicken and saute 3 minutes per side until golden.
  • Transfer to baking sheet and keep warm while you make the sauce.

SAUCE
1 tablespoon avocado oil
3 green onions, minced
1 tablespoon WONDRA flour
3/4 cup homemade chicken stock
1/2 cup white wine
Juice of 2 lemons
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped parsley
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 lemon thinly sliced

  • Heat oil in large skillet.
  • Add onion and saute 1 minute.
  • Sprinkle with flour, cooking a minute or so until golden.
  • Whisk in broth, wine and lemon juice.
  • Bring to a boil while whisking constantly.
  • Reduce heat and cook until sauce reduces and thickens to desired consistency.
  • Add butter, whisking constantly.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste.
  • Add lemon slices, turning to coat in sauce.
  • Serve sauce over chicken pieces.
  • Garnish with more parsley if desired.

ROAST CHICKEN with LEMON HERB SAUCE ~ BLOG 366.256

ROAST CHICKEN
4 tablespoons butter, divided & softened
1 whole chicken cut into pieces (see notes)
1 1/4 cups hot water
2 teaspoons Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

LEMON HERB SAUCE
1 teaspoon avocado oil
1 -2 LARGE green onions, FINELY chopped
Juice from 1 LARGE lemon
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped Lemon thyme
1 teaspoon FRESH chopped basil
1 teaspoon WONDRA
1 tablespoon butter

  • Rinse chicken and pat dry. Salt and pepper.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet and when HOT, place chicken skin side down in pan.
  • DO NOT TURN chicken pieces until you see blood and bottom side is golden brown.
  • Whisk together the hot water, bouillon, thyme and basil.
  • Turn chicken and add 3/4 cup of chicken stock.
  • Reduce heat and simmer on low 15 minutes.
  • Transfer chicken to a plate and pour stock into a measuring cup.
  • Melt remaining butter in skillet and return chicken skin side down to skillet and cook another 5 minutes until skin is crisp.
  • Transfer to an ovenproof plate, cover with foil and keep warm.
  • Skim the fat from the broth and add enough of the additional broth to make 3/4 cup.
  • Heat the olive oil in the skillet on a low heat, scraping up any of the little pieces from the chicken to add to the flavor.
  • Add green onions and saute’ a minute or so.
  • Add flour and mix well.
  • Increase heat and add broth and bring to a simmer.
  • Simmer until reduced to about 1/2 cup.
  • Stir in any juices that have drained from the chicken. Simmer a few more minutes.
  • Remove from heat and whisk in lemon juice, thyme and basil.
  • Pour sauce over chicken and serve immediately. I like to serve it with rice.

NOTES:

  • If using boneless, skinless chicken, season it well and dredge prior to adding it to the skillet. Adjust timing if using boneless, skinless chicken.

Originally posted 10-22-2008, updated 7-28-2014 and again September 2024

LEMON BLUEBERRY SCONES ~ BLOG 366.236

Prior to last week, I had only rarely had a scone and they were always a dry, crumbly and plain. I truly never understood the appeal. Then last week I saw some at a local farm stand that looked so delectable I decided to give Tham a try again. THEY WERE DELICIOUS!!!!!! So I started searching for the perfect recipe and I found one that with a few tweaks is so YUMMY! They are sweet, tangy and filled with bursts of blueberry flavor. Don’t forget the glaze!

GLAZED LEMON BLUEBERRY SCONES adapted from LOVE NERDS

SCONES yields 8 scones
2 cups flour
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons COLD butter
1/2 cup WHOLE milk
1/4 cup FRESH lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
2 tablespoons FRESH lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon PURE Vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon PURE Almond extract
1 cup FRESH plump blueberries

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  • 
Dice the COLD butter into smaller cubes. You can also use a box grater to make pieces a bit smaller.
  • Cut the butter pieces into the dry ingredients until it all resembles coarse wet sand.
    BE PATIENT! It might take a little time but the butter will break down into the mix.
  • Stir in milk, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest until moistened. **see note**
  • Pat the dough into an even layer on your floured work surface.
  • Sprinkle the dough with the blueberries, and GENTLY fold the blueberries into the dough without squishing them.
  • By hand, form the dough into a rectangle 1 inch thick. Once again be careful not to break the blueberries.
  • Cut the rectangle in half making 2 squares.
  • Cut each square diagonally in both directions so you have 4 triangles.
  • Place scones 2 inches apart onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet.
  • Bake 15-17 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Cool slightly and drizzle with Lemon glaze.

LEMON GLAZE
1/2 cup powder sugar
1 tablespoon FRESH lemon juice
Pinch of lemon zest

  • Whisk ingredients in a small bowl, adjusting lemon juice to taste and to get the consistency you need: a little more lemon juice for thinner glaze and a little less lemon juice or more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze.

NOTE**: If your dough is a little dry I use ice cold vodka in the dough to make it come together. The vodka will evaporate during the baking process.

LEMONY BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS with ONIONS and POTATOES ~ BLOG 366.229

The original recipe called for 3 things I either don’t like the taste of (capers), am allergic to (mustard) or just don’t like to cook with (turkey) so I adapted it my likes. I also combined two of her recipes, both braising recipes for a one pot wonder 😀

LEMONY BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS with CARROTS, LEEKS, ONIONS & POTATOES adapted from MARY BERG and MARY BERG

2 1/4 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 teaspoons avocado oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 SMALL Vidalia onions, thinly sliced
1 lemon, thinly sliced and seeds removed
5 to 6 medium yellow potatoes, quartered
1 SMALL bag baby carrots, drained
1 LARGE leek, trimmed and sliced
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped thyme
FRESH chopped parsley for serving
FRESH grated Parmesan, for serving (optional)
Candied lemons, for serving (optional)

  • Heat your oven to 325°.
  • Place a enameled cast iron pot over medium-high heat.
  • Pat the chicken thighs dry and season well with salt and pepper.
  • Add the oil into the pan followed by the thighs, skin-side down. Allow to sear 3-4 minutes until golden brown on the first side and the meat easily releases from the pan.
  • Flip and sear on the other side 2-3 minutes JUST until golden then remove from the pan and set aside.
  • Turn the heat down to medium and add the butter along with the onions, lemons and potatoes.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper, cooking until the onions and lemon are slightly softened and golden, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the garlic followed by the white wine, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze and pick up any cooked-on bits.
  • Bring the wine to a simmer and cook down 2-4 minutes until slightly reduced.
  • Whisk the mayonnaise and Worcestershire sauce together. Add the broth and whisk until smooth.
  • Stir the broth mixture into the pan, coating everything well. 
  • Nestle the thighs on top, skin-side up, making sure that the skin is NOT submerged.
  • Bring to a boil, cover with the lid, and transfer the pan to the oven for 40 minutes.
  • After 45 minutes of braising, remove the lid and continue to cook 15-20 minutes until the chicken and potatoes are cooked through and the skin is golden and lightly crisp.
  • Remove the pan from the oven, scatter with the thyme and allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes.
  • Top with grated cheese if desired.

 

 

LEMON PECORINO CHICKEN ~ BLOG 366.180

LEMON PECORINO CHICKEN

CHICKEN
8 LARGE chicken tenderloins
½ cup AP flour
2 LARGE eggs
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Zest from 1 LARGE lemon
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
¼ cup FRESH grated Pecorino Romano cheese
¼ cup avocado oil
2 tablespoons butter

  • Flatten all the chicken tenderloins to an even thicknesses.
  • Set up dredging station with flour, beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, lemon zest, and grated Pecorino Romano cheese.
  • Coat each tenderloin in the flour, then in beaten eggs, and then the breadcrumb mixture.
  • Heat oil and butter in a large nonstick sauté pan over medium heat.
  • Sauté the tenderloins 3-5 minutes on both sides until golden and cooked through. Work in batches if necessary – do not crowd the pan.
  • Drain on paper towels.

SAUCE
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon WONDRA flour
1 tablespoon FINELY minced garlic
¼ cup WHOLE milk
¾ cup heavy cream
¼ cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter

  • In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.
  • Sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
  • Whisk in flour.
  • Gradually add milk, heavy cream and chicken broth.
  • Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a SLOW boil.
  • Cook 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  • Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and butter.
  • Serve with FRESH pasta or mashed potatoes.
  • Drizzle the sauce over the chicken before serving. I made my sauce more like a gravy (thicker, but just as tasty) this time.

As seen on facebook:

LEMON BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE ~ BLOG 366.95

Whether you need a brunch or potluck dish, this streusel topped Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake is the perfect choice!

LEMON BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray a 10″ Springform pan with non-stick spray.

STREUSEL TOPPING
½ cup butter, melted
1 ½ cups AP flour
¾ cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla

  • In a medium bowl, combine melted butter, flour, sugar and vanilla until crumbly. Set aside.

CAKE
¼ cup melted butter
¼ cup canola oil
1 cup granulated sugar
2 LARGE eggs
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla
1 cup vanilla bean yogurt or sour cream
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
2 tablespoons lemon zest
2 cups AP flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups fresh or frozen small wild blueberries (see note)

  • In a large bowl, whisk together butter, oil and sugar for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the eggs, vanilla, yogurt, lemon juice and zest and whisk until combined.
  • Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and stir just until combined.
  • Stir in blueberries and set aside.

FILLING optional
8 ounces cream cheese
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 LARGE egg
zest from one lemon

  • With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg and lemon zest until smooth.

GLAZE optional
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • Whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice

ASSEMBLY

  • Spread ½ of the cake batter into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  • Spread cream cheese filling in the center, staying away from the edge of the pan as much as possible.

  • Top with remaining cake batter and spread to cover as much of the cream cheese filling as possible.

  • Sprinkle the crumb topping over top.

  • Bake at 350 for 60-70 minutes, or until center is set and DOES NOT jiggle when moved. You don’t want an unbaked center! and it could take up to 80 minutes.
  • Let cake cool to room temperature before drizzling the glaze over top.
  • Serve.

NOTES 

  • Frozen blueberries will release more moisture as they bake, so you may want to reduce the oil to 2 tablespoons if using frozen berries.
  • Both the cheesecake filling and the glaze are optional – just depends on how much sweetness and decadence you want for the occasion.

LEMON PUDDING BUNDT CAKE ~ BLOG 366.74

It’s not often I use a package mix of anything, but my friend gave me this recipe to make for her dinner night at the Eagles and I followed it to the letter. I actually recommend you do the same thing. 😀 It has a airy tender crumb that is FULL of intense flavor. I’ve since changed it up a bit and also made it strawberry by using a strawberry cake mix and vanilla pudding. The possible combinations are based on your imagination with cake and instant pudding flavors 😀

I’ve also adapted it to a scratch version that uses freeze dried fruit to make it mango or raspberry using a white cake mix.

LEMON PUDDING BUNDT CAKE
CAKE
1 package lemon cake mix
1 small (3.4 ounce) package instant lemon pudding mix
2/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup neutral oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest
4 LARGE eggs

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Generously butter (NOT non stick spray) a bundt pan.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the cake mix and pudding mix.
  • Add oil, lemon zest, lemon juice and eggs, whisking to combine well.
  • Pour into prepared pan.
  • Bake 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool 15 minutes in pan.
  • Invert onto cooling rack to cool completely.

GLAZE
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract

  • Whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice and vanilla.
  • Drizzle over cooled cake and let glaze harden 10 minutes or so before serving.
  • Transfer to serving platter and serve with FRESH blueberries or berry of choice 😀

NOTE: Flavors can be altered by using 1/4 cup freeze dried fruit with a white cake mix and vanilla flavored pudding mix.

SWORDFISH with LEMON PEPPER BASTING SAUCE

GRILLED SWORDFISH with LEMON BASTING SAUCE
4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
2 teaspoons FRESH chopped fresh parsley
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground mixed peppercorns, plus more for sprinkling
1/2 teaspoon (packed) grated lemon peel
1 tablespoon avocado oil
4 1-inch-thick swordfish fillets (about 6 ounces each)

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Mash butter, parsley, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon ground mixed peppercorns, and lemon peel in small bowl. Season to taste with salt.
  • Heat butter in heavy large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Sprinkle swordfish with salt and ground mixed peppercorns.
  • Add swordfish to skillet, cooking until browned, about 3 minutes.
  • Turn swordfish over and transfer to oven.
  • Roast until just cooked through, about 10 minutes longer.
  • Transfer swordfish to plates.
  • Top with Lemon Sauce

LEMON SAUCE
1/3 cup butter
2 green onions, finely minced
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
a pinch of cayenne pepper
1/4 cup FRESH squeezed lemon juice
Zest of one LARGE lemon
1/4 cup hot water
a couple drops Tabasco

  • In a small saucepan, melt the butter.
  • Add green onions and sauce a few minutes.
  • Whisk in the paprika, sugar, salt, pepper and cayenne.
  • When well blended add lemon juice, hot water and Tabasco.
  • Add lemon zest just before serving.

LEMON LIME BARS

LEMON LIME BARS
You have 2 choices for the crust – a yummy short bread or delicious cookie crumble. I love the cookie crumble, but cannot always find the OREO lemon cookies so often substitute the shortbread crust.

CRUST #1
2 packages of OREO lemon thins
1 stick butter, melted

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • LIGHTLY coat a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a food processor chop and grind cookies into a fine crumble.
  • In a mixing bowl stir together the cookie crumbs and butter until well blended.
  • Press the crumb mixture firmly into the prepared baking dish and set aside.

CRUST #2
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into small cubes and chilled
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups sifted flour
pinch sea salt

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • LIGHTLY coat a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a mixing bowl whisk together the flour, sugar and salt.
  • Cut in butter until coarse crumbs.
  • Press the crumb mixture firmly into the prepared baking dish.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes until lightly browned.
  • Set aside to cool while you prepare the filling.

FILLING
6 LARGE eggs at room temperature
3 cups sugar
1 cup flour
3/4 cup FRESH lemon juice
1/4 cup FRESH lime juice
2 tablespoons FRESH grated lemon and lime zest
powdered sugar, for dusting

  • Whisk eggs.
  • Add sugar and whisk until blended.
  • Alternately whisk in flour, zest and juices until well blended and smooth.
  • Pour over prepared crust and bake 35-45 minutes until center no longer jiggles. You may need to cover with a loose layer of foil part way through to prevent too much browning.
  • Lightly dust with sprinkled powdered sugar and cool completely before chilling completely.
  • Cut into bars and enjoy.

CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES with LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

This makes a wonderful bundt cake for any holiday!

CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES with LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING adapted from Al Made It For You yield 10 cupcakes

CUPCAKES
1½ cups grated carrots
½ cup WELL DRAINED crushed pineapple
1 cup (120g) cake flour
¼ cup (31g) all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ heaping teaspoon QUALITY ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
2 LARGE eggs
¾ cup (150g) light brown sugar
½ cup (120ml) Avocado oil
1 (5 ounce) (142 grams) OUI lemon Greek yogurt
½ teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
1/3 cup crushed finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup golden raisins

  • Preheat the oven to 325°.
  • Line a muffin pan with paper liners, and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, combine the cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, oil, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract.
  • Combine the flour mixture, crushed pineapple and grated carrots mixing just until combined.
  • Add to wet mixture and blend well.
  • Fold in raisins and all but 2 tablespoons of walnuts.
  • Scoop out the batter evenly into 10 paper liners, and bake for 18-20 minutes.
  • Let them cool in the pan for a couple minutes before taking them out to a wire rack to cool completely.

FROSTING
8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened at room temperature
½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
1½ cup (188g) powdered sugar
½ teaspoon grated lemon zest

  • In a mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter until it becomes fluffy.
  • Add the cream cheese and continue to beat.
  • Add powdered sugar and lemon zest, beating to incorporate until smooth.
  • Add frosting to piping bag and pipe cupcake tops as desired. The frosting recipe makes the right amount for piping swirls. You’ll only need two-thirds of the recipe is needed if piping bursts instead.
  • Sprinkle with reserved walnuts.

NOTE:  This makes a WONDERFUL small bundt cake.  Adjust the baking time from 18-20 minutes to 35-45 minutes.

LEMON SHRIMP FETTUCCINE

LEMON SHRIMP FETTUCCINE

3/4 pound medium shrimp, cleaned and deveined
1 small fennel, cleaned, halved and sliced – save chop fronds and keep separate
12 ounces fettuccine, prepared al dente (save 1/4 cup hot pasta water)
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed and halved
2 Meyer lemons, Juice of LARGE Meyer Lemon + slices for garnish
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Whisk together the cream, lemon juice and egg yolks.
  • Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • Heat avocado oil in skillet over medium heat.
  • Saute shrimp for 90 seconds. Remove shrimp and set aside to keep warm.
  • Add the fennel pieces and saute for 2 minutes.
  • Add the snap peas and saute another 3 minutes until peas are tender and fennel is browned.
  • Add cream, 1/4 cup pasta water, prepared fettuccine and shrimp into pan.
  • Turn off heat and stir together until well blended and sauce thickens.
  • Season to taste.
  • Garnish with fennel fronds and lemon slices.
  • Serve immediately.

NOTE: Meyer lemons are a bit sweeter than regular lemons so if you can’t find a Meyer lemon, use half of a regular lemon and half of a tangerine.

LEMON BLUEBERRY TURNOVERS

LEMON BLUEBERRY TURNOVERS
4-6 inch pieces of puff pastry
1 lemon, juiced
2 cups small wild blueberries
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 egg

  • Preheat oven to 425°.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a small bowl whisk egg.
  • In a medium bowl stir together the blueberries, cornstarch, 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of
  • the powdered sugar.
  • Arrange the puff pastry squares on the parchment paper several inches apart.
  • Drain blueberries for a couple minutes.
  • Lightly brush the edges of the puff pastry.
  • With a slotted spoon divide the blueberry mixture among the puff pastry pieces.
  • Gently fold a corner over to form a triangle and secure edges by firmly pressing the edges together with your fingers.
  • Brush the outside of the turnovers with the beaten egg.
  • Make a 1 inch slice on the top of each turnover.
  • Bake the turnovers 14-18 minutes until golden, turning the pan half way through.
  • While the turnovers are baking, make the glaze.
  • In a small bowl whisk together 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. If too thick add a bit more lemon juice.
  • When turnovers are done, let cool at least 10 minutes before drizzling glaze over top.

NOTE: I like to use the juice that drain off the blueberries.