Lemon Dishes

I love lemons. I think they're beautiful to look at and the uses for both the juice and rind are endless. They're easily used in both savory and sweet dishes, and I don't know of many people who don't appreciate them.

We recently had a meal that was lemon-based and absolutely delicious. We started with a salad made of simple endive drizzled with a dressing of POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice and lemon before moving on to a lemon and garlic-roasted chicken and lemon orzo. We ended with my favorite cupcakes, making a fully fabulous sunshiny-lemon meal.

Lemon Curd-Filled Lemon Cupcakes

Recipe for Cupcakes here: http://family.go.com/food/recipe-576799-fairy-cakes-t/

Recipe for Lemon Curd here: http://cookingwithanne.blogspot.com/2005/09/tea-anyone.html

Pomegranate and Lemon Dressing
Makes 1 cup
Printable Recipe

8 ounces POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice
1 Tablespoon lemon zest
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Tablespoon minced shallots
1 teaspoon honey
salt to taste

Reduce pomegranate juice to 3/4 cup by simmering gently for 15 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and chill well before serving.

Lemon and Garlic-Roasted Chicken
Serves 4-6
Printable Recipe

One 5-6 pound roasting chicken
1 whole lemon
6 whole cloves garlic
olive oil
salt & pepper to taste

Loosen breast skin on chicken by slowly working the handle of a wooden spoon under skin on both sides. Slice lemon thinly and slide slices under breast skin. Toss any extra lemon and the garlic cloves into the cavity of the bird. Brush bird with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and roast, uncovered, until desired doneness is reached. Usually 350 degrees F for 1 1/2 to 2 hours is sufficient.

Lemon Orzo
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

1 cup dry orzo, cooked until al dente (about 2 cups cooked)
2 Tablespoons minced shallots
1 Tablespoon lemon zest
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
2 Tablespoons olive oil
salt & pepper to taste

Combine all and heat through.