When life gives you lemons, make lemon squares π Lemons are not a common sight in Cambodia. Limes yes, but I have never seen people selling lemons on local markets. This is kinda funny if you think about the fact that lemons originally are thought to come from Asia, more specifically north-western India.
Recently, however, my local organic veggie and fruit shop in Kampot started selling them. Though we have a lime tree in the garden, I still prefer the taste of lemons.
We planted a lemon bush in the garden a few months ago. Although it is growing quite fast, I think it will take a while before it will bear fruit. Probably we will not see any of its fruits before we leave the country in a few months.
Though with the war currently going on in Russia and Ukraine, we might extend our stay in Asia a little longer before moving to Portugal. My heart goes out to all the people there. Letβs hope this madness will not take too long. After the whole world being on pause due to covid, we deserve to be free and happy again.
I can not imagine how scary it must be to live in Ukraine or Russia right now. Silently I also fear for the safety of my parents and my brother and his family as they live in Brussels close to the UN and NATO headquarters.
GLUTEN-FREE LEMON SQUARES
Lemons are packed with vitamin C, fiber, folate, potassium, flavonoids, and various beneficial plant compounds such as limonins.
Combined with the other ingredients I used, these delicious squares will provide you with plenty of energy and plant nutrients to boost health and curb your sweet tooth.
INGREDIENTS (makes about 15 squares)
I used a 20x27cm oven-safe pan to make the squares. But you can use whatever shape you have available.
For the crust
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup certified gluten-free rolled oats
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 5 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Β½ tsp Himalayan pink salt
For the lemon filling
- 2 cup cashew nuts, soaked
- Juice of 3 organic lemons (Β½ cup)
- Zest of 1 organic lemon
- ΒΌ cup + 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- β tsp turmeric powder (for extra yellow color)
- ΒΌ tsp Himalayan pink salt
- Desiccated coconut (topping)
INSTRUCTIONS
For the crust
Preheat oven to 175C or 350F.
In a small bowl, mix chia seeds, water, and maple syrup. Let sit for a few minutes.
Add all remaining crust ingredients to a blender and blend on low until a very fine powder.
Add the chia mix and pulse until the dough comes together.
Line the baking pan with parchment paper and press the dough firmly into the pan in an even layer. Bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes. The edges will start to brown.
For the lemon filling
While the crust is in the oven, blend all filling ingredients until thick and creamy.
Using a spatula, add the filling in an even layer on top of the prebaked crust.
Pop back into to oven and bake for another 15-18 minutes.
Allow to cool. Top with desiccated coconut and cut into squares.
Enjoy with a cup of herbal tea. They are firm enough to take with you for a quick snack while on the road or going to work. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge.
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This looks SO GOOD!! Yumm!! Reblogging as a reminder to self (and others) to try this!!
Chiang Mai is getting more and more lemons - they're HUGE and I'm often looking for good lemon recipes. :) I love using chia seeds too. Not a fan of GMO cornstarch but I'm guessing rice starch would be an ok substitute?? Likewise maple syrup (expansive here!) probably do ok with local honey instead??
Understanding your travel reluctance - my daughter due to start college in Europe in August and I'm also wondering about it all....
Maybe you will get to harvest your first lemons after all? π
Thanks! I bought the cornstarch at an organic store in the capital so it should be fine. I actually prefer using arrowroot but I have never seen it here. I Will look for rice starch... thanks for the tip!
Let's hope everybody stays safe. Atm I am waiting to buy a plane ticket for my dad's bday in May.
Not sure how long it takes to get lemons. But who knows!
Have a beautiful day!
2 tricks to inducing lemons to fruit quickly and heavily: throw rusty nails into the topsoil around the perimeter of the tree, and urinate on them. Have fun... π
@artemislives lol JUST went to tag you in this one. I'm gathering my ingredients NOW. I reckon honey and rice flour or tapica starch might be my subs, mainly as I have them on hand.
Damn, just realised i only have roast salted almonds in ...off to Wholefoods tomorrow. I simply HAVE to make this one!
Sunflower seeds might be good too - you can buy those EVERYwhere here! Mortgage not required. Have fun...
Oh yes, or a blend of pepitas and sunflower seeds woudl work too.
Haha.... enjoy! We sure loved the squares. They didn't last very long!
I'm a HUGE fan of lemon slice - Australians love a good slice. Thing is, it's sooo sugary. This would satisfy my desire for it!
https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/lemon-slice/060db05a-dae6-49a6-b6f5-fab60b2c9471
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thanks for the support. Much appriciated!
These lemon squares look incredible. I want to eat them! The cashews are the secret ingredient, it makes sense but I never thought about them being in lemon squares.
Thanks! If you are in teh neighborhood, let me know and I'll make you some lol. We use cashew for so many things. I make dairy-free yogurt from them, use them to make bechamel-like sauces, make dairy-free cheese, etc.... Not sure what I would do without cashew nuts lol.
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Hi @amy-goodrich looks delicious uhmmm π€.
My favorite is the crust has a very delicious crunchy look to it.
Blessings!
Thank you. I hope you try them one day! They are so good.
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With all the war and madness in the world, is the first time in years that I'm happy I'm here. But well, it seems that at a political level this war between Russia and Ukraine will touch us too.
The lemon square looks awesome, there are some ingredients hard to buy here but I need to put the effort to try them because they look awesome, and I need some healthy snacks, we've been eating too much sugar and flour, not so good.
I think we are both lucky to be far away from the war. But indeed it will affect us in some way.
As for the lemon squares, you can easily substitute some of the ingredients with the things you can find. Have a beautiful day and stay safe!