How To Make Lemon Pickles Recipes

LEMON PICKLE RECIPE (4 INGREDIENTS)

Steps:

• Firstly rinse the lemons very well in water. Then place them in a clean plate or kitchen towel and let them dry naturally at room temperature.
• You can even wipe dry them very well with a clean kitchen cotton towel or napkin.
• Before beginning with the recipe making, do make sure that your hands, chopping board, knife, kitchen towels, bowls, spoons and jar are clean and moisture free.
• Later take each lemon and cut four sides but keeping the lemon intact and whole. Do not cut through completely. Cut all lemons this way.
• Squeeze a bit of juice - about ¼ to ½ teaspoons from each lemon piece into a bowl. But do not squeeze the lemons too much - you want them to keep their shape and fullness.
• Set the bowl of lemon juice aside to use later. Adding some lemon juice helps to preserve the pickle.
• If the seeds drop when you squeeze the juice, then remove them with a small spoon and discard. If the seeds remain in the lemon, then simply let them be. No need to remove them.
• In another plate or bowl, take 1 tablespoon carom seeds (ajwain), ½ tablespoon red chili powder and 1 tablespoon salt.
• Mix very well and set aside.
• Now with your fingers or a small spoon stuff this spice mix in each lemon. Set aside.
• Place the lemons in a clean glass jar. You can sun dry the empty jar for 1 to 2 hours if you want.
• Now remove the seeds and pour the lemon juice which was in the bowl in the jar.
• Add leftover spice mix if any on the stuffed lemons in the jar.
• Sprinkle some salt (about ½ to 1 teaspoon) all over the lemons. This is essential so that the lemons don't spoil during the pickling process.
• Cover with a lid and keep the jar in sunlight for 4 days. Every day shake the jar.
• The tangy lemon pickle will be ready after 4 to 5 days and then you can serve it with your meals.
• Store the lemon pickle in an air-tight jar in your refrigerator. Do not keep it at room temperature. When you want to serve, remove it with a clean dry spoon. Close the lid of the jar and keep it back in the refrigerator. This lemon pickle keeps well for a month when refrigerated.

LEMON PICKLE RECIPE

Steps:

• Optional - If using fenugreek seeds, roast 1 tsp seeds on a low heat until they turn fragrant and deep golden in color. Cool this and powder finely. Measure ½ to 1 tsp powder for this pickle and set aside.
• Rinse the lemons well until running water and wipe dry with a clean cloth. Air dry them preferably overnight to ensure they are moisture free.
• Ensure the chopping board, knife, bowls, spoons and pickle jar are clean and moist free. Do not use moist surfaces or cutlery while you make the pickle to avoid spoilage.
• Chop 200 grams lemons to desired sizes and deseed them gently with a small fork or a knife.
• Extract the lemon juice from the rest of the lemons (another 200 grams) and discard the seeds.
• Spread the chopped lemon pieces on a clean tray and sun dry them for at least 5 hours. If you do not have sunlight, then put the tray in the oven and turn on the oven at 40 C (104 F), at the lowest possible settings in your oven for 1 hour, shake the tray after 30 mins. Keep the oven door ajar (little open) through out to avoid moisture building up inside.
• At the same time, spread red chilli powder, salt and turmeric in a tray. Keep it in the sun for 1 hour or in the oven at 40 C or 104F (without salt) for 20 mins. Keep the oven door ajar (little open) through out to avoid moisture building up inside. Remove the tray and place on a wired rack so the ingredients don't sweat.
• Also keep the lemon juice in the sun or in the oven. If keeping in the sun, spread a thin muslin cloth over the bowl of lemon juice.
• Before you make the pickle, cool down all of the ingredients including salt. This step is very important. They will become warm or slightly hot after keeping in the sun/ oven.
• Add the lemon pieces to a clean glass or ceramic bowl or jar.
• Pour the lemon juice, add 1 tbsp salt and turmeric.
• Cover and rest it for 1 to 2 days at room temperature in a dry clean place. Avoid keeping this in a humid atmosphere like in kitchen. Keep it in the living.
• Stir the lemon pieces together with chilli powder and ½ to 1 tsp methi seeds powder. Cover and set aside.
• Heat oil in a pan until hot enough. Then add mustard, red chilies and crushed garlic.
• Turn off when the garlic is fried to crisp and golden. Add hing and cool down the oil completely.
• Pour half of the oil to the lemon pickle and give a good stir. Taste it and add more salt and chilli powder if needed.
• Transfer this to a glass bottle. Pour the remaining oil over the pickle.
• Press down the pickle so the oil floats on top. Ensure there is a layer of oil over the lemon pickle as this helps in a good shelf life.
• Cover with a lid and refrigerate the lemon pickle for better shelf life.
• It takes 10 to 20 days for the lemon pieces to be ready. When the pickle is ready, the lemon pieces will soften.
• Always use dry spoons to serve the pickle. Wipe clean the sides of the jar with a clean tissue after every use. Ensure most of the lemon pickle is under the oil at all times. This helps in preserving the pickle for longer.