Citrus Hacks: The Big Squeeze

Had enough cold yet? The wintertime can wear us down and lower our immunity. Boost up your vitality with Vitamin C!

Puckering and brightly acidic, fresh lemon (or lime) juice is like sun shining after a cloudy, dark night. There’s no comparison for what fresh juice lends to your food compared to the bottled stuff. If that’s true, then why do we avoid using nature’s best? Fresh from the source is best for absorption of nutrients as well.

Having a simpler way to extract fresh juice can make all the difference. Sticky hands or extra gadgets to wash can be a deterrent for some. Or maybe you just haven’t yet found the right squeezer? If so, read on.

{The Hacks

You need not develop carpal tunnel syndrome for a quick drizzle of lemon juice. Make it easy for yourself by employing the following tricks:

The roll: giving the citrus fruit a good solid roll on the counter before cutting helps to break the internal membranes, allowing more juice to flow easily.

The nuke: a brief 20-second blast of the microwave will help soften the citrus, making it easier to squeeze.

The fork: a fork can accomplish what a fancy reamer does. Stick your fork into a half lemon or lime and twist the fork while squeezing the fruit with the other hand, making sure you work over a cup to catch the flow.

The hole: for easy juicing without cutting, first roll and/or nuke the fruit, then insert a skewer at one end of the fruit, creating an internal hole. Squeeze and it will pour out of the hole! (If only using a small amount, save in the fridge for another use.)

When I got my first reamer (that wooden bulbous tool that twists and breaks up citrus fruit to release the juice) I had no idea just how effortless squeezing a lemon could be. Sometimes the right tools do make a difference. There are several different models out there and if you’re ready to employ one in your kitchen, here are a few options to consider based on your needs and usage:

Wooden reamer: small, hand-held, inexpensive, sturdy, and effective.

Flip back citrus squeezer (press): effectively presses out the juice from a lemon half, holding back the pits while letting the juice flow through small holes. Inexpensive and easy to use.

Citrus juicer: Upright plastic reamer set securely onto a cup for stability while juicing. Pits are held back over a strainer as juice flows down into a measuring cup. Great when juicing for a specific amount called for in a recipe.

Standing hand-crank juicer press: best for heavy duty use and for when a large quantity of juice is called for in a recipe. Pricey and definitely not a space saver, though!

Electric Juicers: fast, effective, and non-strenuous; another gadget to clean and store. Worthwhile for those juicing often and in large quantities, like for Pesach.

Whether you’re making fresh lemon curd or a mustardy lemon vinaigrette, using the “real deal” in your cooking will brighten up your dishes as well as your health. Find the right hack or tool for you and give it a good squeeze…just beware of paper cuts.

{Lemony White Wine Dressing

A great all-around salad dressing that is slightly tart and herbal and works for chicken salads and fish salads too. Also kosher for Passover.

Ingredients:

1 cup mayonnaise

3/4 cup white wine

1 tablespoon fresh basil

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon crushed garlic

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 small onion, diced

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

Combine all dressing ingredients in a food processor, process until smooth, then refrigerate in a sealed container until ready to use. 

Naomi Ross is a cooking instructor and food writer based in Woodmere, NY. She teaches classes throughout the country and writes articles connecting good cooking and Jewish inspiration. Her first cookbook, The Giving Table, was released in December 2022. Follow her at @naomirosscooks on Instagram/FB/TikTok or visit NaomiRossCooks.com.