Lemon is a perfect flavour for Spring. It's refreshing and works well in both savoury and sweet dishes. BentallGreenOak Residential Services has 5 mouthwatering recipes for you to try this season.
Lemon Risotto with Spring Vegetables
Don't be intimidated by the idea of making this spring-inspired risotto. It's actually relatively easy to make and it tastes great thanks to all the fresh spring vegetables it includes. The best way to make risotto is with Arborio rice -- which you can buy at most grocery stores. Start by trimming the asparagus into 1-inch pieces and boiling them in water for 3-4 minutes. Add fresh peas to the water as well, or, if you're using frozen peas, toss them in for the last minute. When the asparagus is tender, transfer everything into a bowl with ice water and set it aside. Next, you'll need to heat 1 quart of vegetable or chicken stock and 2 cups of water. You can add the stem trimmings from the asparagus, parsley and leeks to the stock to infuse it with more flavour. Bring it to a simmer and keep it warm until the risotto is ready. Use a large pan to saute leeks and garlic with some salt and pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Add the rice in and roast for a couple of minutes, then add a cup of white wine and let it reduce. The next step is to start adding the broth, bit by bit, stirring as the liquid absorbs. It will take the rice about 20 minutes to cook and when it's done it should be al dente and firm. Add the asparagus, peas, leeks, lemon juice and zest and parmesan cheese at the very end, plus some salt and pepper to taste. Garnish it with parsley and lemon zest and serve!
Healthy Baked Lemon Chicken
This Healthy Baked Lemon Chicken recipe will leave you wanting more! It's savoury, juicy and guilt-free. Start by greasing a pan and heating your oven to 400 degrees. Set it aside. In a large skillet, melt 3 tbsp of butter and add 4 boneless chicken breasts. Cook the chicken breasts for a few minutes, until they are brown, and transfer them onto the baking sheet. In a separate bowl, mix ? cup of chicken broth, 1 tbsp of honey, 4 tbsp of lemon juice, garlic, Italian seasoning and some salt and pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken and bake for 20-30 minutes. Make sure to spoon the sauce from the pan over the chicken every 5to 10 minutes. Once it's cooked, garnish it with some rosemary and lemon. The chicken can be served with a side of roasted vegetables, rice or a salad.
White Chocolate Lemon Truffles
For a delicious and sweet recipe, try these White Chocolate Lemon Truffles. They make for the perfect treat after dinner or a quick bite when you're craving something sweet. Start by placing 1 cup of white chocolate chips in a bowl and set aside. In a pan, melt ¼ cup of butter and lemon zest. Stir in 3 tbsp of heavy cream and scald the mixture. Use a mesh sieve to pour the cream over the chocolate chips. Add ½ tsp of lemon extract and a few drops of food colouring (optional) and stir until it's smooth. Next, you're going to cover and refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes until it's firm. Take a teaspoon of the mixture, form into balls and roll them in powdered sugar. Refrigerate them for another 30 minutes and enjoy!
Fresh Lemon Mousse
Welcome spring with this delicious Lemon Mousse recipe. It's super refreshing and it takes less than 30 minutes to make. Begin by whisking together 3 whole eggs, 3 egg yolks, lemon zest, lemon juice, 1 cup of sugar and a pinch of salt. Place the heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water and cook for roughly 10 minutes. Once the mixture becomes thick, set it aside for 15 minutes. Cover it and refrigerate for 2 hours. The next step is to place half of the eggwhites and a pinch of salt in an electric mixer bowl and mix on high speed. Add 2 tbsp of sugar and mix until the eggwhites are shiny. Fold the eggwhite mixture into the cold lemon mixture with a rubber spatula. Then, whisk the cream with the electric mixer and pour the cream onto the lemon mixture. Fold in the lemon curd and add everything into a souffle dish. Now you're going to need to make the sweetened whipped cream. To do so, mix the vanilla, cream and sugar in the electric mixing bowl. Once it's done, add it into a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip and decorate with the lemon mixture. You can also add some lemon slices if you like. Make sure to chill it before serving.
Basil-Berry Lemonade Sorbet
For a dairy-free dessert, try this refreshing Basil Berry Lemonade Sorbet. It only requires a few ingredients and takes just 20 minutes to make. Begin by adding 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water into a saucepan and heat it on high until the sugar dissolves. Add 1 cup of basil, remove from heat and let it sit for 15 minutes. Pour the syrup into a bowl, without the basil, and refrigerate. Now grab your blender and mix 6 cups of frozen blueberries, ¾ cup lemon juice and the basil syrup. Blend everything until smooth. Transfer the mixture into a square baking pan, cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 2 hours, or until it's firm. Don't let it freeze for too long or you won't be able to scoop it! Give this recipe a try -- especially on a hot spring or summer day. It won't disappoint!
BentallGreenOak hopes you enjoy these five delicious lemon recipes!
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