Lemons? LOTS of lemons? What can I do with them?

[Amy in Orlando]

My mom gave us about 20 lbs of lemons yesterday. They're beautiful, but I don't want them to go to waste. What, besides lemonade, can I do with them? Is there a way to freeze them?

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

Lemon cake, lemon frosting. Lemon curd. Lemon ice.

Lemon soap?

Can you juice the lemons and preserve the juice?

[Daisy]

You can juice them and freeze them. I have a lemon tree and that is what I do with mine. I have lemon juice year round. The easiest way (more work at the beginning though) is to freeze them in ice trays and then pop out and put into a ziploc bag.

[GraceinMD]

Ummm....Lemon Snowdrops soap? Lemonfresh soap? When Life (Mom?) Gives You Lemons soap? You get the drift here....

(seriously, do you use "real" stuff like lemons in soap, or just essential oils (or whatever they're called)?)

[4pillars]

You can send some my way. My kids love to eat them!! YUCK!!! LOL
Seriously, I don't know what you can do with them! Make lemon pie, frozen lemonade pops, lemonade stand, lemon cake?? Enjoy your lemons:D:D

[GraceinMD]

Great minds, and all that, eh?

[Amy in Orlando]

WOW - you guys are fast! I do use lemon peel gratings in real soap. Lemon juice doesn't hold up to the lye, I need essential oil for that.

I'm not much of a baker (lol even if it is my last name), but dh is. Maybe I juice them all and freeze in the ice cube trays.

Does anyone have an idiot-proof recipe for lemon curd? I'd love to try that.

[Ferdie]

Hi Amy,

Hot water lemon drink is suppose to be good for your liver. Just heat 8oz water in microwave and pop in one of the lemon ice cubes that Daisy suggested making. Drink in the morning to get you hydrated and jump start your liver.

P.S. Your soap was a big hit this holiday. I ordered several bars as stocking stuffers for my sisters. I really didn't want to give the brandied pear soap away. Next year I am ordering extra for me! Loved your packaging too.

Ferdie

[stephanie]

How about lemon juice to your hair for natural highlights? He! He! I did that in Jr. high and thought I was soooo cool! Good luck on using all of them!:D

[Amy in Orlando]

Thanks Ferdie - I learn more on this board. I'll try the lemon drink in the morning - can't hurt.

I'm so glad your sisters liked their soap. Did you get to keep any for yourself? I was going to offer you a bar of brandied pear but I just checked and I'm totally out.

[Mama Bear]

send me whatever you have left and I'll make the rest into lemon curd for all the residents of Foil Town! Tra la!!:D

[Amy in Orlando]

send me whatever you have left and I'll make the rest into lemon curd for all the residents of Foil Town! Tra la!!:D

:pI wish that would work! Can't you just move here?

Stephanie - I remember doing the highlight thing in jr high as well. I'm a little askeered to try it now. Wonder if one of the boys will let me experiment.

[nanette]

I have never made them, so don't ask me how. But I hear they are delish!

[Ferdie]

Hi Amy,

You are so sweet to check on the brandied pear. Of course you are out. That was the world's best smelling soap!

Next year I am ordering some extra for moi.

Your #1 brandied pear soap fan,

Ferdie

[WTMindy]

Everyone knows that when life gives you lemons...you make lemonaid!:D (I'm no help!)

[Mama Bear]

Of course you're out of the brandied pear -- it's all at my house! Bwahaha. (Not really. Wishful thinking.)

Lemons require lemon curd. (I swear I posted this already but I can't find it.) Make some for the people you want to impress and they'll follow you around with their tongues on the pavement. Or send me the lemons and I'll make some for all the lovely neighbors in Foil Town. :p

Oops. It's up there, of course. Mocking me. Sheesh.

[Claire]

Haven't read the other replies, but what about making lemon syrup? It keeps indefinitely and you can use it later to make lemonade, lemon-soaked cake, add to fruit punches. You can find recipes by Googling. Here is one:
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/lemon-syrup

Others I have seen online incorporate grated lemon rind too. My bet is you could also can the honey syrup to preserve it even longer. I would probably experiment with it to make lemon muffins.

[Amy in Orlando]

Thanks Claire - I think I'll give this a try.

[Jenny in Atl]

I love lemon curd!! I would vote for that and lemon cookies, shortbread, cake,.... stop me!!!

[Melora in NC]

In the top of a double boiler, melt 1 stick butter. Remove from heat.
Beat 3 eggs until light and fluffy.
Stir eggs into butter.
Add 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup lemon juice to mixture.
Return double boiler to heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until curd is very thick (About 20-30 minutes).
This will keep for 2 weeks in the refrigerator & makes 1 pint of curd.