Preserved Fresh Lemons

Name: Preserved Fresh Lemons
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 720 h
Total time: 720 h 30 min
Yield: 1 2 Litre Jar
Ingredients: 6 unwaxed lemons; 125 g coarse sea salt; 2 whole cloves; 2 bay leaves; 8 coriander seeds; 8 black peppercorns; 6 to 8 lemons, juice of, fresh approximately or 500 ml unsweetened lemon juice; 1 1/2 liters kilner jars

(6)

Recipe by French Tart

I always have at least one jar of preserved lemons made & ready to use; I use them extensively, especially in Tagines and Maghreb, (North African) cuisine. They are also wonderful when diced very finely and added to a whole chicken, or lamb for roasting. Just a small amount can enhance all types of daube, stew, casserole or crock-pot cooking. These are very easy to make & add a splash of colour to your pantry. DO try use unwaxed and untreated lemons wherever possible.

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READY IN: 720hrs 30mins

YIELD: 1 2 Litre Jar

UNITS: US

INGREDIENTS

Nutrition

6

unwaxed lemons
125

g coarse sea salt
2

whole cloves
2

bay leaves
8

coriander seeds
8

black peppercorns
6

to 8 lemons, juice of, fresh approximately or 500 ml unsweetened lemon juice
1 ¹⁄₂

liters kilner jars

DIRECTIONS

Soak the lemons in water for 2 to 3 days, changing the water 2 - 3 times, once a day.
Pat the lemons dry and quarter them from the top to just above the bottom, about 1/2" - leaving them in one piece.
Open up the lemons slightly, and sprinkle the sea salt onto the cut flesh - reshape them afterwards, so they look whole again.
Place half the remaining salt in the bottom of a large Sterilising jar; I use 1.5 litre Kilner jar for this amount.
Pack the lemons in and add the bay leaf and spices amongst the lemons.
Add the remaining salt & press down to release the lemon juice from the lemons.
Pour over the lemon juice - it's difficult to say exactly how much, but the last time I made these, I used about 500mls of unsweetened lemon juice; and in the past, I have used between 6 & 8 fresh lemons, squeezed - depending on the juiciness & size of lemons!
Seal and leave for at least one month; these will last up to 6-10 months in ideal conditions, dark & cool.
When you come to use the lemons, make sure you rinse them thoroughly beforehand.
IDEAS: Chop them up finely and add to baked fish dishes; put a whole lemon in to the cavity of a chicken to roast - take it out when cooked, and chop up finely and add to any gravy or sauce; Cut into quarters and add to tagines & stews; finely dice a lemon and add to sauces and stocks for stews & crockpot recipes -- the list is endless!

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