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10 Reasons Lemon Juice Is a Superfood

Heather Dale — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:10:08 PDT

Saying that lemons are a superfood is an understatement. Their medicinal properties are never ending and they add abundant flavor to a variety of dishes. Lemon juice is an excellent source of vitamins C and B, proteins, carbohydrates, and phosphorous. The flavanoids within the juice are said to contain antioxidants, which is why it's so useful in treating so many ailments and conditions. We've already discussed how it can cure you of the hiccups and wake up your liver and help flush out toxins in the morning, but here are 10 more health benefits associated with lemons:

Constipation and diarrhea relief. Lemons help cleanse the digestive track and allow food to digest properly.
Lemons aid in the production of antibodies in the blood that attack invading microorganisms and prevent infection.
Lemon is found to be anticarcinogenic, which can lower the rates of colon, prostate, and breast cancer.
Because of its high potassium content, lemon controls high blood pressure, dizziness, and nausea, and provides relaxation to mind and body.

Continue reading to see the rest of the list.

Berry Tempting: Blackberry Gin Cocktail

partysugar — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:00:37 PDT

All day yesterday, I couldn't wait to get home after work. I was planning on making a blackberry margarita. I spent some time researching recipes before I left; there's a lot of interesting blackberry margaritas out there, from thyme-infused ones to others that are muddled with mint. After hitting up the market and Bevmo, I arrived home ready for my marg and realized I had no limes!

I couldn't make a margarita without fresh lime juice, so I set out to create a blackberry-lemon cocktail. Gin was my base spirit, although you could substitute vodka. The resulting concoction hit the spot. It was fruity and boozy in the best kind of way. Want to see what I came up with? You know what to do: keep reading!

Happy Hour: Glamour Gal

partysugar — Fri, 21 May 2010 16:00:18 PDT

When it comes to drinking, I don't discriminate against alcohol and enjoy uber girlie drinks as much as any manly concoction. That's why when I saw this recipe, created specifically with the Sex and the City viewer in mind by Skyy vodka, I knew I had to give it a try. It's a sublime combination of vodka and fresh citrus with a little bit of creme de cassis (a black currant flavored liqueur). A sugared rim adds a pop of color and lightly sweetens the drink. It's a fabulous and fun cocktail that's easy to make and perfect for a girl's night in. To serve this to your friends - be sure to use the special Sex and the City bottle of vodka! - get the recipe.

Come Party With Me: Romantic Dinner - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:30:48 PST

Before you sit down to a romantic dinner for two on Valentine's Day, enjoy each other's company over a blushing cocktail. This drink is the perfect boy meets girl concoction.

Don't be fooled by the pink color; it's gin-based, so it's not for the faint of heart. Fresh-squeezed lemon juice provides a refreshing tartness, while pomegranate juice and simple syrup slightly sweeten the beverage.

It's sure to get your intimate party started! To look at the easy recipe,

Simple Tip: Before Juicing, Keep Citrus at Room Temperature

partysugar — Mon, 11 May 2009 10:15:25 PDT

If you plan on making lemonade or a batch of cocktails that require fresh citrus juice, be sure to use citrus that is at room temperature. According to Food & Wine Cocktails 09, refrigerated citrus will yield up to a third less liquid than fruit at room temperature. To bring cold citrus to room temperature quickly, soak the fruit in really hot water for five minutes before squeezing. Ironically enough, when a recipe calls for citrus zest it's best to use the fruit right out of the fridge.

Do you normally store your lemons, limes, and oranges on the counter or in the fridge?

Yummy Links: From Rhubarb to the Swine Flu

partysugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:50:17 PDT

One farmer on why she grows rhubarb and what dessert she likes to make with it. - The Atlantic
Classic pasta carbonara inspires this scrumptious potato salad recipe. - Chow
What exactly is a hot brown? - Epicurious
Use lemon juice to naturally brighten dishes. - The Kitchn
Surprisingly these classic cocktail recipes from the 1940s seem totally modern. - Gourmet
Despite the swine flu, consumers can still eat pork. - Serious Eats

Source

Simple Substitution For Buttermilk

partysugar — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:15:38 PST

I was at my vacation house when an intense craving for homemade waffles hit. Since it was snowing heavily, we had to make waffles with the ingredients in the kitchen. The recipe called for buttermilk, and rather than find another recipe, I decided to make the simple substitution for buttermilk that is a combination of milk and lemon juice.

Here's the easy recipe:

Place a tablespoon of lemon juice in a liquid measuring cup.

Add enough milk to bring the liquid up to the one-cup line.

Let stand for five minutes. Then, use as much as your recipe calls for.

I needed two cups of buttermilk, so I started with two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and then filled it up with milk. The waffles turned out perfectly and were insanely comforting.

Have you ever used this substitution for buttermilk?

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Come Party With Me: Oscars Viewing - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:50:41 PST

At the Governors Ball, the majority of the stars will be sipping sparkling wine, so stock up on more affordable bottles of Cava or Prosecco. Place wine buckets around the room and fill with ice and bottles. Arrange champagne flutes or saucers nearby. Besides sparkling wine, three specialty cocktails will be poured at the Oscars afterparty. Select one to serve your friends. I like the Golden Rush, a concoction made with orange-flavored vodka, lemon juice, and sparkling wine.

Instead of mixing one libation at a time, prepare a large pitcher. For those who don't drink, serve a mocktail of cranberry juice mixed with lime soda. To check out the recipe for the Golden Rush,

Happy Hour: French 75

YumSugar — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 13:13:38 PDT

A few weeks ago I attended the closing gala for San Francisco's Cocktail Week. The event was a casual happy hour spotted with lovely specialty drinks by the talented Absinthe Bar bartenders. The party served as closure to the week, as well as a release party for Art of the Bar, a cocktail book by the Absinthe bartenders. So naturally, they were showing off some of their specialty drinks.

I was lucky enough to experience several different selections, but the one I was gaga for was called French 75 - a champagne cocktail made with gin and citrus juice. If you've never had one, treat yourself tonight. It's simple, it's classy, it's tasty. Get the recipe, just

French 75
Adapted from Drinks Mixer

1 1/2 oz gin
2 tsp superfine sugar
1 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz lime juice
4 oz chilled Champagne
1 lemon peel twist
2 brandied cherries

In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the gin, sugar, lime juice and lemon juice. Shake well. Pour into tall glass (ie: pilsner). Top with champagne. Stir well and garnish with lemon peel and brandied cherries.

Print recipe with images | without images

Don't Toss Your Sad Lettuce - Fix It!

YumSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 09:58:31 PDT

We've all done it, we've bought lettuce with the perfectly good intention of turning it into salad, only instead of making a salad, we throw it in to the back of the fridge and forget about it for a while. We come back a few days later and find that the leaves look a bit sad and wilted. Well, what do you do? Do you toss it out? Nope! You soak it! Place washed lettuce leaves in a bowl (preferably stainless steel) filled with cold water, lemon juice and ice cubes. Soak for an hour in the refrigerator, then drain, dry and enjoy! Oh and let's be realistic here folks, if your lettuce is starting to turn to soggy mush, no amount of lemon juice is going to save it.