When Life Gives You Lemons...

Well, life has definitely changed over the last year and I'm certain its for the best, although, it may not have seemed so at the time. Part of my new adventure includes a cowboy and in this case a cowboy with a lemon tree. My cowboy is kind, handsome and can cook. Impressed right?! Well in addition to that he has fruit trees and here in Arizona it is definitely lemon season ( truth be told, around here it's pretty much always lemon season) and my Lord this tree is full! Working that much citrus into your diet may seem like a challenge, but the good news is, everything tastes better with a little lemon. Who doesn't love a big glass of lemonade after a hard days work shoveling horse poop, wrangling dogs and horses and folding that ever-growing laundry monstrosity that lives in my closet? And, did you know the purported health benefits of lemons? They seem to be endless; Lemons are (deep breath) great for restoring the body's pH balance, rich in vitamin C, perfect detoxifiers, they help to neutralize free radicals and strengthen blood vessels which can help lower blood pressure, they treat scurvy (important if you are considering becoming a pirate) and most importantly they kill intestinal worms (wow, yuck).  How awesome is it that I have now included intestinal worms in a food blog. I probably should delete that but, I wont, because it's just plain cool and goes to show the power of the mighty lemon. Recently, I have started a hot lemon and honey water ritual in the morning. The local honey helps with allergies and the lemon takes care of all of the previously mentioned "things".  Finally, I want to share one of my favorite recipes using lemon. I have to tell you I found it in the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook years ago and have altered it over time. It is always a favorite. Its fresh, filling, easy and tasty. I also included my super simple, super delicious recipe for lemonade. Now to tackle the laundry in my closet. Sigh.

Told ya! That's a lot of lemons on the cowboy's tree.

 

 

Lemon and Kalamata Olive Chicken

 

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 2 tbs. olive oil
• 1 1/3 cup dry orzo
• 1 cup drained and pitted kalamata olives
• 2 14 oz. cans of chicken broth
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges
• 2 tbs. lemon juice
• 2 tsp. Greek seasoning
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:

• Season your chicken breasts with 1 tsp of the Greek seasoning and a sprinkle of some salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven or braiser, brown the chicken in the hot olive oil over medium high heat for about 5-8 minutes or until the chicken easily releases on each side, turning only once.  Stir in the orzo, olives, broth, lemon wedges, lemon juice, remaining Greek seasoning, salt and pepper.
• Bake, covered in a preheated 400 degree oven for about 45 minutes or until the chicken is tender and no longer pink. Serve and enjoy.

This is a handy little gadget that you can get at your local kitchen store. It's an olive pitter. If you can't find pitted olives, give this a try. I use mine all of the time for stuffing my favorite olives and pitting cherries. You can find it at www.williams-sonoma.com

                   

 

 

 

Homemade Lemonade

 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups fresh lemon juice
• 1 gallon ice water

 

Directions:

• Make a simple syrup with your sugar and water. To do this add your 1 cup of water to a sauce pan and then add your sugar.   Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved completely.
• Place your 2 cups of fresh lemon juice in a large pitcher and add the 1 gallon of ice water. Slowly add your simple syrup to the pitcher and mix well. Tada! Homemade Lemonade!