Olive Oil Fried Lemon Rings

By Jessica Swartz April 5, 2023 28 mins read 226 Views

Fried lemon rings are a bright, vibrant addition to sandwiches, soups, and other dishes. They give even the most basic recipes a "cheffy" touch.

Photo credit to Andrea Gralow

Fried lemon rings are a favorite in my fridge, along with all my instant flavor boosters. One side houses a garden of herbs that are kept fresh in jars like bouquets of flowers. On the opposite side are jars filled with pickled items, such as Preserved Lemons and Cucumbers.

For big flavor, you only need to grab both sides. This is a great rule of thumb for cooking Mediterranean cuisine.

These fried lemon rings are somewhere in the middle. The fresh lemon flavor is retained, but the bite is slightly mellowed. They become lightly caramelized, crunchy and have a soft rind.

They are great for adding a punchy, bright flavor to recipes, if I can resist eating them as potato chips. Fried lemon rings can be used as garnish in Lemon Parmesan Salad or Moroccan Vegetable Tagine. For an instant boost, you can stir the lemon rings into pesto pasta. I could go on. These fried lemons make a great addition to any savory dish.

You'll also get a lemon-infused oil. Use it as a dressing oil in salads or dips. You can also soak it in a piece of toasted focaccia bread to enjoy a snack before you go.

Table of Contents

Ingredients for Fried Lemon rings
How to fry lemon rings
Fried Lemon Rings: What to Eat
Condiments that Make Your Meals Shine
Olive Oil Fried Lemon Rings Recipe

Recipes for Fried Lemon Rings

Fried lemon rings require only a few ingredients that you probably already have at home. Sumac is optional, but it adds a Mediterranean flavour. You only need a pinch of salt.

Lemon: You'll eat the whole fruit, not just the rind. So make sure you don't use chemicals or spray on lemons. Give them a scrub. The ripest lemons are those with thick, yellow-colored peels. Meyer lemons with their sweet flesh, thin skin and perfect flavor are great if you have them.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I use mild olive oils, such as our Italian Nocellara to fry the lemons.
Kosher Salt: A good pinch of salt (approximately 1/2 teaspoon) will bring out the lemon's flavour.
Sumac -Sumac can be added to any fried lemon for an extra pop of color. It adds a smoky taste and an additional layer of acidity. Find out more about sumac and order some at our shop.

How to Fry Lemon Rings

Fried lemon requires only one pan and a quick shallow fry. Before you start: Always add ingredients to hot oils away from your body. You should dry your tools, such as a spatula or tongs. This will prevent splashing and sputtering.

Prepare the lemons. Scrub 2 lemons, and dry them thoroughly. The ends should be trimmed. You can cut the rings as thinly as possible with a sharp knife. As you work, remove any seeds from the knife's tip.
Add 1/4 cup olive oil to a small skillet on medium heat. When the oil shimmers, carefully place the lemon slices in the oil using a slotted spoon. Toss the lemon slices in the oil until they are crisp. This takes about 3-5 minutes.
Drain:Take the skillet off the heat and transfer the lemons onto a paper towel-lined platter. If necessary, season the lemons with salt and sumac.
To Use: Use immediately to garnish or as a condiment. You can cover the oil and keep it in the fridge for up to four days. Let the oil cool before using it as a dip or finishing oil for bread.

How to Serve Fried Lemon Rings

My weekday meals are instantly enriched with the weekend vibe of fried lemon rings. As a garnish for easy dishes such as Greek-Style Eggplant and Pan Seared Trout,

Fried Lemon Rings add a surprise element to any dinner party. You can use them to top Mediterranean-Style Salmon or Greek Lamb Burgers. This is a fun twist to a traditional burger's fried pickle!

Recipes to Make Your Meals Shine

Bravas Sauce (Salsa Brava)
Whipped Toum (4 Ingredient Garlic Sauce)
Quick Pickled Cucumber Recipe
Preserved lemons

Explore all Mediterranean recipes

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Sumac Spice

These fried lemons are brightened up with sumac.

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Olive Oil Fried Lemon Rings

Fried lemons add a quick boost of flavor and texture to even the most basic dishes. Use it to brighten soups and salads, burgers, rice dishes, salads, dips, and other foods.

Course Condition

Prep time 5 min

Cook Time 5 Minutes

Servings HTML4

Calories 135 10 kcal

Author Suzy Kardsheh

Ingredients

2 large lemons
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon sumac (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the lemons. Wash the lemons and dry them well. Cut off the ends of the lemons and slice them into thin rounds. As you go, remove any seeds.
Fry the slices in olive oil. Heat the oil on medium heat until it shimmers but not smokes. If you have a splatter protector, this is a great time to use it. Toss the lemon slices in the oil until they are crisp (about 3 to 5 minutes span>).
Drain the skillet. Transfer the lemons onto a plate covered with paper towels using a slotted spoon. Season immediately with salt and sumac, if necessary.
Use the fried lemon rings for garnish or as a condiment. Let the lemon-infused oil cool before you use it as a finishing oil, or to dip bread.

Video

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Notes

Fried lemon rings can be kept in the refrigerator for up to four days. They will lose some of their crispiness but they will still be delicious. I promise!
Hot oil can cause damage to your tools. The oil will sputter or splatter if it is wet.
To browse high-quality Mediterranean ingredients such as olive oils, honey and jams, visit the shop

Nutrition

Carbohydrates: 5g

The first appearance of the post Olive Oil Fried Lemon Rings appeared on The Mediterranean Dish.

By: Suzy Karadsheh
Title: Olive Oil Fried Lemon Rings
Sourced From: www.themediterraneandish.com/fried-lemon/
Published Date: Wed, 05 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0000

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Mediterranean Diet be vegetarian?

Yes, the Mediterranean Diet is adaptable to vegetarianism. This eating style can be followed by vegetarians who omit meats such as red meat, poultry, fish, and other animal proteins. You can choose from a variety of plant-based protein sources, such as legumes, nuts and seeds. These are all staples in the Mediterranean Diet. Adding healthy fats such as olive oil, olives, and avocados will help compensate for the sourced protein if needed. In order to obtain vitamins and minerals while living a vegetarian lifestyle, you can add tofu or soy milk to your diet. Another option is to make hummus from mashed beans, add nuts and seeds to bowls and salads, have hummus with vegetables as snacks, or replace ice cream with frozen bananas for dessert.

What can I do to lose weight with the Mediterranean diet?

Yes, you can lose weight following the Mediterranean Diet. The Mediterranean diet is a focus on whole foods (vegetables, fruits, legumes) and high quality fats such as olive oil. This can help lower calories and provide essential nutrients to your overall health and wellbeing. This eating plan can help you lose weight by incorporating physical activity. If you have the right mindset, it is possible to reduce high-fat processed foods, red meat, and added sugars.

What foods are prohibited on the Mediterranean diet?

Certain food groups are excluded from the Mediterranean diet, such as processed foods and added sugars. Certain foods are not recommended to be eaten in order to retain the health-benefits associated with this eating pattern. Consuming these items occasionally can still be part of a healthy diet, but consistently eating them can counteract the potential health benefits of following a Mediterranean eating plan.

Whole-grain bread and starches, such as white bread, sugary cereals, and other highly processed baked goods, are forbidden on a Mediterranean eating plan. These items are rapidly absorbed into the body as sugars and can cause weight gain. Additionally, they have few vitamins and minerals to offer compared to whole grain options like quinoa or millet.

Other sugars also fall within this category. You should limit your intake of sweetened drinks, including soda, teas with added sugars, juices, and other sugary beverages. They won't support weight loss or healthy nutritional profiles.

It is best to avoid red meats and processed foods in Mediterranean-style meal plans. Red meats and processed foods are high in saturated fats, which raises cholesterol levels and increases the risk of developing heart disease. The association of nitrates in processed lunchmeat may lead to increased cancer risk. Dairy products should be avoided as many cheeses have high levels of saturated fats.

According to nutrition professionals, fish should not exceed three times per weekly.

Is it expensive to eat the Mediterranean diet?

The Mediterranean diet is usually affordable, and includes easily accessible and affordable ingredients. Many of the staple foods can be found at local supermarkets or farmers' markets. However, shopping for organic products, high-quality proteins, or special items such as extra virgin olive oil can be more expensive. It is important to set aside a budget for your meals so that you can plan your meals accordingly. Also, you can save money by using leftovers from other meals and bulk-freezing foods like fish and grain.

Is the Mediterranean diet safe for people with diabetes?

People with diabetes or other health issues will find the Mediterranean Diet helpful. This diet focuses on whole foods, reduces refined sugars, carbs, and emphasizes healthy fats rather than butter or lard. This reduces the chance of developing diabetes in people who are not already living with it, and helps to control blood sugar levels for those with diabetes. Incorporating light exercise into your diet can help stabilize and regulate blood sugar levels. You can make healthy food choices such as substituting white bread for whole-grain bread, or adding nuts to your salads in place of crackers. This will help you to manage many health conditions.

Is Rice on the Mediterranean diet?

Mediterranean diet includes rice, which is both permitted and encouraged. This diet encourages the consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Whole-grain, or whole-grain, rice is a good source of carbohydrates that can provide energy to the body. It also contains dietary fiber that can aid in digestion and provide essential nutrients, such as iron, magnesium, and B vitamins. In order to incorporate rice into your meals, you can add cooked grains to soups, stews and salads. Limiting added fat could be beneficial where possible to stay within the guidelines of the Mediterranean diet when consuming rice-based dishes.

Can I drink alcohol while on the Mediterranean diet

Yes, alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation as part a Mediterranean diet. This drinking style should be limited to 1 glass daily for women and 2 for men. Drinks that are suitable include beer, dry wines, and spirits made from natural ingredients, such as vodka, whiskey, brandy, and gin. Due to the high sugar content of heavy spirits such as cocktails, they should be avoided. Additionally, incorporating daily doses of fluids such as water or herbal teas can keep the body hydrated and help reduce cravings for sugary drinks!

Statistics

The Mediterranean Diet group had a 30% lower relative risk of cardiovascular events compared to the low-fat diet group. (my.clevelandclinic.org)
Choose fat-free or 1% milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese. (my.clevelandclinic.org)
Aim to get 20 to 35 percent of your total daily caloric intake from fat, and for saturated fats to represent less than 10 percent of your total caloric intake, advises the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (everydayhealth.com)
Other components in tomatoes may help reduce the risk of blood clots, thereby protecting against cardiovascular disease, according to a March 2019 review in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. (everydayhealth.com)

External Links

How To

How to Adopt a Mediterranean Diet for a Healthier Lifestyle

The Mediterranean Diet reflects the traditional Mediterranean foodways. It emphasizes healthy fats. whole grains. legumes, and fresh fruit and vegetables. A hallmark of this diet is the regular consumption of plant-based foods such as legumes and nuts, packed with essential nutrients like plant proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These foods also have anti-inflammatory benefits that are well known.

The Mediterranean diet has many health benefits. It can help you live longer and have better quality of life. Evidence has also suggested that weight management and cardiovascular disease may be possible benefits. It has health benefits for body composition, overall health, and chronic disease prevention. It encourages socializing around meals to help reduce cravings at random hours of the day. Finally, including lots of averagely vigorous physical activity throughout your day, such as walking or biking to work and taking the stairs instead of the elevator, can further increase the health benefits of this lifestyle.

You can adopt a Mediterranean diet and eat more fruits and vegetables for your snacks, meals, sides, and main dishes. Refined grains should be replaced with whole-grain options, such as brown rice or quinoa, oats or barley. Include more nuts, fish, beans and other protein-rich foods in your diet. Olive oil can be used as your main cooking fat. Use herbs and spices instead of salt to season food. Reduce your intake of dairy products like yogurt and cheese. To complete the Mediterranean diet, have a glass or two of red wine every once in a while!

Making changes to your daily meal plan takes time and dedication. However, there are some tips to help you make the transition to a healthier lifestyle. Also, you can learn how to diversify your diet so you don’t become bored of the same ingredients. Last but not least, integrate grains, legumes, and high-fiber items that can help enhance satiety after meals.

Mediterranean cooking encourages enjoyment of food and the pleasure of cooking, while also allowing you to be healthy. Small changes can be made to gradually increase your intakes of whole foods and plant-based food ingredients, resulting in a healthier diet. This dietary approach can offer health benefits that include a longer lifespan and better overall quality of living.