Essentially Cooking with Lemon

Let’s have fun cooking with Lemon!

This morning was just a downpour, and by the afternoon as I was typing away a little bit of sun popped over my shoulder and it made me think of the John Denver song, ‘Sunshine on my shoulder makes me happy’. I love that soft buttery color and it made me think of lemons so I decided today would be all about lemon essential oils and its yummy goodness.

Let’s get started with some lemony goodness to sip! I love Lemon Ginger Soda as a special treat!

Don’t do soda? A drop of lemon, a drop of Stevia in sparkling water is yummy too!

There is something amazing about citrus and chicken that pairs beautifully. I’m a huge fan of short prep time when I’m cooking. Here is an entrée you can mix up in minutes and then let the oven do the work! Layer some potatoes under the chicken, throw in a couple of carrots and your work is done!

Savory Lemon Chicken

Ingredients
Whole Chicken
4 t Olive Oil
¼ c melted butter
4 drops lemon oil
1 t salt
½ t white pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients except the chicken together in a small glass bowl. Set aside.

Clean chicken and dry. Breast side up, brush the seasoned oil mixture all over the chicken. Then place breast side down in roasting pan and brush the rest of the chicken.

Bake for an hour or until a meat thermometer placed in the thickest part of the thigh not touching the bone reads 165° F/75°C. Tent with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes.

I know that breast side down isn’t as pretty but it is so much juicier and amazing. If you are cooking for guests you can cook breast side up and baste a few times. If you want a little more color just flip the bird and put under the broiler for a minute or two. I like to put a layer of potatoes under my chicken.

Lemon wouldn’t be complete without some sweet treats. I make cherry chip cupcakes and frost with this yummy lemon frosting. No time to make cupcakes? Spread some on some store bought sugar cookies and no one will be the wiser.