Best Marthas Lemon Confit Recipes

LEMON CONFIT

Steps:

• Bring a medium stockpot of water to a boil. Place a 1-quart canning jar in the boiling water for 5 minutes to sterilize. Place jar on a wire rack, upside down, to dry.
• Pour a layer of salt into the bottom of the jar. Quarter a lemon, starting at the end, but leaving the uncut end intact. Open the lemon over a small bowl, and pour some salt inside. Place the lemon in the bottom of the jar. Continue process with the remaining lemons. Be sure to use all of the salt, including any salt that remains in the bowl. Pack the lemons into the jar and covering each layer of lemons with salt. Seal the jar, and refrigerate.
• The lemons can be used after 1 month, but they are best after 3 months and will keep for up to one year.
• To use the confit, cut the lemon quarters apart. Cut away all the flesh from the rind; discard the flesh. Blanch for about 1 minute in boiling water, dice or julienne, and add to salads, stews, or grain dishes.

PEA STEW WITH PISTACHIOS AND LEMON CONFIT

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the peas. Cook peas until bright green and tender, about 3 minutes. Immediately transfer the peas with a slotted spoon to an ice-water bath; let cool. Drain well.
• Blend 1 cup peas, 1/4 cup stock, and 2 tablespoons herbs in a blender until smooth. Blend in up to 1/4 cup more stock to thin to a pourable consistency.
• Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic; cook, stirring, until shallot is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add remaining 2 cups peas, the confit, nuts, remaining 3/4 cup stock, the pea puree, and remaining 2 tablespoons herbs. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Discard garlic. Stir in lemon juice.

LEMON AND PEPPERCORN CONFIT

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan filled with water to a boil over medium heat. Cut each lemon in half, and scrape out pulp. Roughly chop the pulp; set aside. Julienne the lemon peel to a 1/4-inch thickness. Place the lemon peel in the saucepan. Simmer about 10 minutes. Drain; rinse under cold water.
• In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, honey, and 1/2 cup water. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat. Cook until the sugar has completely dissolved. Break cinnamon sticks into pieces. Add cinnamon, peppercorns, lemon peel, and pulp to honey mixture. Cook about 25 minutes more, until the lemon peel is very tender and liquid is slightly caramelized. Transfer from heat. Serve, or store in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to 2 weeks.

LEMON CONFIT

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 150°F.
• Scrub the lemons and cut off the ends to expose the flesh. Cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices and remove the seeds.
• Weigh the lemons, then weigh out an equal amount of sugar.
• Sprinkle a layer of sugar in the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange a layer of lemon slices on top, overlapping slightly. Sprinkle with sugar. Arrange another layer of lemons and sprinkle again with sugar. If you want, you can make one more layer of lemons and sugar, but there should be no more than three layers. Barely cover with water.
• Cut a piece of parchment to fit the dish and cover the lemons. Bake until the lemons are slightly transparent, about 2 hours.
• Let cool and store in the refrigerator. The confit will keep for a couple of weeks.

SIMPLE TOMATO CONFIT

Steps:

• Simmer tomatoes, garlic, and thyme in oil until skins split but tomatoes are still intact, 8 to 10 minutes. Strain, reserve oil, and discard garlic and thyme. Let tomatoes cool completely, then peel. Transfer to a lidded jar; fill with reserved oil. Cover and store in refrigerator up to 1 week or in freezer up to 6 months (thaw in refrigerator before using).