Lemon Ice Cubes and the "Putting Food By" winners

I really do love lemons but I don't often have them because I forget to buy them or I forget to use them once I actually remember to buy them. I have been using and enjoying the TruLemon packets, they work in a pinch and I can keep them indefinitely or at least longer than a fresh lemon. But for summer lemonade they just don't cut it, you practically use the whole box and I don't know it just doesn't seem right somehow.

Impulsive me, I see the fresh organic lemons flying out the door of the food co-op a few weeks ago and get inspired to buy a BAG of lemons. B A G. Of lemons. That's a LOT of lemons people. To make myself feel better I stuffed that bag in the back of the fridge and forgot about it for a while. I was trying to hide my own snap decision from myself? I don't know.

But I knew I needed to use them or lose them. So I got out the juicer, not the electric one either but rather the small twisty back and forth variety and I juiced everyone of those 12 lemons. Ahahahahhha! Made a bit of Blueberry Lemonade and promptly forgot about rest of the juice until someone said eeeeeewwwwww whats this? and oh hahahaha (maniacal laugh of a 'stay-at-home-mom mid summer)that's lemon juice. I proceeded to calmly sniff the juice, declare it fine! and pour it into an empty ice cube tray and pop! it in the freezer. My family looked on as if I were nuts (NOT! clearly not!) as I closed the freezer. I bet you can guess what happened next. Yep forgot about them until I wanted iced coffee and "yuck why is this ice yellow!" so I had non iced coffee. A week later I remember when I have a moment to myself without children trying to throttle each other or scream an octave higher and one moving out (I don't know why, we are NORMAL), turkeys not tiptoeing through the garden, new charter school coming on and oh I don't a BILLION other things more important than ice cubs made of lemon, I finally pop them out of the tray.

Much to the delight of the small screechy hooligans beating on each other on the hottest day of summer we had fresh lovely cold icy lemonade within one hour. Best part though? We still have 3/4 of a tray to go. AND? I look like homemaker goddess because a move of desperation turned out A-OK! Win win.

I can defrost them and use on salmon, or in muffins, or in plain water to perk it up. There are so many ways to use these little guys, it's nice to have something so handy in the freezer pantry, ready to go.

On to the winners!

#1

granola.freeman said...

Yo Laura! I just picked a gallon and a half of red raspberries at my mother in law's, and can't WAIT to learn under her tutelage how to make them into the sweet concoction that graces our pantries. :) Looking forward to lots more canning adventures! And you're on my blog listing, does that count as a blog roll? I really want that book!

 #2
Steph said... I can jams, ketchup, pickles and relishes but I'm a big chicken with the pressure canner. I'd like to do some stocks and soups but my fear really gets in the way. I should get over it.


#3
girlichef said... Awesome giveaway!! I just starting canning...baby steps...in the last year. I've always been scared of botulising my family and friends...but I'm learning!! Need to learn more, though ;)


So there we go, my winners, Miss Granola, Miss Steph and Miss Girlichef-drop me an email with your address and I'll pass those on and your books will be sent on their merry way.

Thanks to everyone who entered I wish I had enough copies to give everyone a book. I was NOT compensated in any way for this 'contest' I didn't even get a free book. I'm just sharing the love that is a full pantry and the peace of mind that goes with it.

Peace and Love-