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If you’re a Bengali, you must have experienced the beautiful aroma of Gondhoraj lemon. Also known as the ‘king of lemons,’ gondhoraj lemon is a citrus fruit hailing from West Bengal. The lemon is popular for its distinct and refreshing scent and flavour that is widely cherished in Bengali cuisine.
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However, you can prepare a whole lot of dishes with gondhoraj lemon beyond the Bengali cuisine. From savoury dishes to desserts, gondhoraj lemon adds a refreshing touch to all the dishes. This lemon elevates culinary creation with its zesty nature and subtle sweetness. Often, you’ll find markets in and around Bengal, selling gondhoraj lebu in batches along with the traditional lemon. This lemon has a thick, bumpy skin that exudes a potent aroma.
Here are a wide range of dishes made of gondhoraj lemon that you should be trying this summer. Take a look:
- Gondhoraj Lemon Rice
This simple and flavourful rice exudes a fragrance and tangy flavour to the dish owing to the presence of gondhoraj lemon and is a twist to traditional lemon rice. To make this rice, cook the basmati rice until it’s fluffy. Meanwhile, heat some oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, curry leaves, and peanuts for a crunchy texture. You can mix turmeric powder and a generous amount of gondhoraj lemon juice. Put the rice into it and toss well so that it is coated thoroughly. Garnish the dish with chopped coriander leaves and a few drops of gondhoraj lemon juice. The dish pairs perfectly with yoghurt or raita.
- Gondhoraj Lemon Chicken
You can easily prepare this zesty, aromatic dish which serves as a perfect main course. All you need to do is marinate the chicken pieces in gondhoraj lemon juice, garlic-ginger paste, salt, and pepper. Marinate for an hour or so for the chicken to completely absorb its flavours. Now in a pan heat oil and saute the chopped onions till golden brown. Add the marinated chicken and cook till it's juicy and tender. Finish it off by drizzling some lemon juice and lastly garnish with some coriander leaves. Serve with steamed rice or roti.
- Gondhoraj Macher Paturi
You cannot miss out on this quintessential Bengali dish that stars fish fillets marinated in a paste made from mustard seeds, green chillies, and gondhoraj lemon juice. The fish is wrapped in banana leaves and then steamed or grilled to perfection, allowing the flavours to meld together. The essence of gondhoraj lemon elevates the dish and adds a citrusy note that complements the pungent mustard and tender fish.
- Gondhoraj Lemon Dal
Dal is the staple of every Indian household, and you can add a twist to it by incorporated gondhoraj lemon to it. Here the cooked yellow lentils are tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chillies. The addition of gondhoraj lemon at the end of the cooking imparts a fresh and tangy flavour that elevates the entire dish. This dal pairs excellent with steamed rice or roti.
- Gondhoraj Lemon Pickle
If you’re fond of pickles, then you must try gondhoraj lemon pickle. This pickle provides you with a burst of tangy goodness that can spice up any meal. To prepare this, cut the lemons into quarters and mix with salt. Allow them to sit in the sun for at least a few days to soften. Now in a pan heat mustard oil and add fenugreek, mustard seeds, and fennel seeds to it. Add the sun-dried gondhoraj lemon, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and jaggery. Cook until the mixture thickens and the lemons are well-coated. Store in a sterilised jar and enjoy with rice or roti.
- Gondhoraj Lemon Sorbet
Beat the summer heat with the refreshing gondhoraj lemon sorbet. To make this, combine water and sugar in a pot and heat until the sugar dissolves to make a simple syrup. Allow it to cool and mix them with generous amount of gondhoraj lemon juice and zest. Now put the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn it well until smooth and icy. Your sorbet is ready. Serve it with a sprig of mint leaves.
- Gondhoraj Lemon Lassi
Twist your traditional lassi by adding gondhoraj lemon to it. To prepare this drink, blend a cup of yoghurt with sugar, a pinch of salt, gondhoraj lemon juice, and zest. Add a few ice cubes to it and blend it until smooth. Pour it into the glass and add a slice of gondhoraj lemon and a sprig of mint. This is a perfect drink for the hot summer days as it provides a burst of citrusy freshness.
