2014 Trends {Lemon}

Next up on my list of 2014 trends is Lemon!

I have always been a fan of lemon, but I never understood it's versatility until I really started cooking.

Now before we jump right into all of the great recipes that call for some of this sour fruit, let's not forget all of the awesome health benefits of Lemons:

-Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which leads to healthy looking/ "glowing" skin. That along with it's good acidity can lead to helping with acne.
-Lemons are also know for there antibacterial and antiviral properties, which can increase the healing speed of canker sores.
-Lemon also makes for a great antioxidant and people are often encouraged to drink warm lemon water each morning to start your bodies metabolism and  strengthen your immune system.

For more info on Lemons check out this article. Or this blog post.

Now for some fun stuff you can create in your kitchen with them...

One of my menu items that I find clients ordering a lot, especially in the summer months, is my Lemon Rosemary Chicken:

I am a chicken lover, so for me this is right up my alley. AND it's easy to prepare for a lot of people, gotta love that!

I am a subscriber of the magazine Taste of Home, yea that's right people still have magazine subscriptions. Yes I do a lot of my recipe research and inspiration hunting online like most other people, but there is just something about getting a new issue in the mail! I enjoy plopping down on the couch after a long day and unwinding with some new yummy ideas. In the February/March issue they featured a whole section on lemon. I think I dog eared every page.

Here were a few of my favorites;

Lemon-Butter Brussels Sprouts:

I have a slight obsession with brussels sprouts lately anyways so this was right up my ally. I have seasoned my broccoli with lemon pepper for years so this idea wasn't too foreign to me but I can't wait to try this take on one of my top 5 favorite green veggies.

Salmon & Dill Sauce with Lemon Risotto:

I'd say most people are aware that salmon and lemon pair wonderfully together, but a lemon-y rice dish as an accompaniment sounds awesome to me!

So whether you are a lemon lover for it's health benefits or its tangy taste I hope you'll try out a few new things with lemon in it this year. Even if it happens to be this yummy milk shake!!