How to Use Lemons in the Kitchen

A lemon tree has scraggly branches, dense shiny leaves and purplish flowers that bear no scent. The fruit, however, is brilliant, cheerful and fragrant and comes with a long list of terrific uses. The following offers a few ideas to put lemons to good use in the kitchen.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Prevent white vegetables from turning brown while cooking. Squeeze a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice into the water when cooking potatoes or cauliflower.

2. Freshen up the refrigerator. Toss out the source of any bad odors, then dampen a sponge with lemon juice and leave in the fridge overnight.

3. Keep rice from clumping into a sticky mass. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice to the cooking water before adding the rice.

4. Crisp up limp lettuce. Soak it for one hour in a bowl of cold water with the juice of half a lemon. Dry the lettuce leaves thoroughly before using them in salad or on sandwiches.

5. Clean the inside of the microwave with little elbow grease. Mix a 1 1/2 cup of water and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice in a large glass bowl. Microwave on high for 5 to 10 minutes until boiling. Allow the steam to collect on the interior surfaces of the oven. Wait until the surfaces are cool and then wipe away baked-on food with ease.

6. Deodorize the disposal. Grind lemon pieces in the disposal to refresh the blades and get rid of odors.

7. Banish ants. Squirt full-strength lemon juice on door thresholds and window sills. Pour lemon juice down any cracks or holes where the bugs enter the house.

Resources

• Natural uses for lemons.