4 Healthy Recipes That Use Lemons

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Lemons are known for being extremely healthy. These brightly colored citrus fruits have been known to help with the treatment of indigestion, constipation, dental problems, throat infections, fever, cholera, high blood pressure, burns and respiratory disorders. Lemons are also good for a person’s hair, skin, immune system and stomach. The strong smell and taste of lemons can also help a person stay focused for longer periods of time and keep their energy high during natural low points in the circadian rhythm.

Sadly, many people do not receive the full advantage of all of the health benefits of lemons because people do not eat lemons terribly often. Most people think of lemons only in lemonade or lemon cream pie both of which are high enough in sugar to cancel out many of the healthy qualities of lemons. So, how can those who are looking to get more of the benefits of lemons add lemons to their diets? Here are four healthy recipes that use lemons.

Whole Lemon Ice Cubes

This is perhaps the easiest lemon recipe anyone will ever make. It involves a blender, an ice cube tray and a pile of lemons. That is it. To make lemon ice cubes, take a pile of lemons and stick them in the blender. Turn on the blender and blend the lemons. Add water as needed to keep the lemons blending easily. Be careful about how much water is added to the blender. The end product should be a thick lemon soup that slides slowly off a spoon but can still be poured out of the blender.

Pour the blended lemons into the ice cube tray and freeze until the cubes are solid. Then, the cubes can be added to soups, smoothies or dropped in a glass of water like normal ice cubes for a light lemon flavor. Whole lemons are best, but peeled lemons work almost as well if the skin makes the cubes taste too bitter.

Lemon Garlic Hummus

Hummus originated in the Middle East and has become wildly popular in the West. It can be made into a variety of flavors and served on bread, chips, vegetables or eaten straight.

To make hummus, roast raw sesame seeds on medium heat until they are hot to the touch and fragrant. Let the sesame seeds cool, then place them in a food processor. Blend the sesame seeds with a drizzle of olive oil. Toasted sesame seed oil can also be used for a stronger tasting hummus. Blend until all the seeds are ground up and a thick paste has been formed. Add a can of drained chickpeas to the food processor and blend. Add more olive oil if necessary.

To turn plain hummus into lemon garlic hummus, add one peeled clove of garlic to the hummus and blend. Then, add roughly one fourth of a cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice. Blend.

The hummus can be served immediately, but the longer it sits, the better the flavors will combine. For best results, put the hummus in the fridge overnight. Then, let it come to room temperature before serving.

Skinny Lemon Cream Pie Oatmeal

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Nothing about lemon cream pie screams “healthy,” but it is possible to get the delicious taste of the dessert without all the calories and fat.

This healthy breakfast is made with almond, soy or coconut milk instead of the heavy cream found in lemon cream pie. To make this meal, mix oats, shredded coconut and lemon zest together in a bowl or mason jar. Add in about one fourth of a cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice. Those who prefer a stronger lemon taste can add more lemon juice while those who want more coconut taste can cut back on the lemon juice. Pour almond, coconut or vanilla soy milk over the oat and coconut mixture. Stir the mixture and add a drizzle of either almond or vanilla extract.

For those who want to make this meal in the morning, heat the mixture. For those who make breakfast the night before, cover the bowl or jar and leave it in the fridge overnight.

Grilled Lemon Kabobs

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Kabobs are one of the easiest and most flexible dishes on Earth. Kabobs can be made with almost any combination of meat and vegetables, and some kabobs do not even have meat. Instead, they use hearty meat substitutes such as portabella mushrooms or tofu. Many people also include fruit on their kabobs which makes them a perfect way to sneak more lemons into a person’s diet.

To make grilled lemon kabobs, cut thick slices of lemon. Place a piece of lemon on a metal skewer. Next, add cubed meat, meat substitute or slices of vegetable such as bell peppers or zucchini to the skewer. Add the next piece of meat and so on in an alternating pattern until the skewer is about two thirds full. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the kabob and brush with any spices that are desired. Grill the kabobs until the meat is cooked and the vegetable skins are turning black. Serve hot with potatoes, rice or bread.

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